Fact Check: $3 billion spent on Texas border wall yields only 8 miles of construction.

Fact Check: "$3 billion spent on Texas border wall yields only 8 miles of construction."

What We Know

The claim that "$3 billion spent on Texas border wall yields only 8 miles of construction" is based on recent developments regarding the Texas border wall project initiated by Governor Greg Abbott. According to reports, the state has spent over $3 billion on the border wall, but only about 8% of the planned 805 miles of construction has been completed, which translates to approximately 65 miles of actual wall built (Texas Tribune, The Independent).

The Texas Legislature recently decided to stop funding the project, indicating that the future of the wall remains uncertain. The wall has been criticized for having significant gaps and being primarily constructed in rural areas where illegal crossings are less likely to occur (Texas Tribune, Yahoo News).

Analysis

The evidence supporting the claim is robust, with multiple credible sources confirming the financial expenditures and the limited construction progress. The Texas Tribune, a reputable news outlet known for its investigative journalism, reported that only 8% of the identified construction has been completed, costing taxpayers over $3 billion (Texas Tribune).

Additionally, The Independent corroborates this information, stating that the wall has significant gaps and is not contiguous, further questioning its effectiveness (The Independent). The costs associated with the wall, approximately $28 million per mile, have raised concerns among lawmakers regarding the efficacy of the spending (Texas Tribune).

The reliability of these sources is high, as they are established news organizations with a history of fact-based reporting. There is no indication of bias in the reporting; rather, the articles present factual data and statements from officials involved in the project.

Conclusion

Verdict: True. The claim that "$3 billion spent on Texas border wall yields only 8 miles of construction" is accurate based on multiple credible reports. The Texas border wall project has indeed seen significant financial expenditure with minimal construction output, leading to the cessation of funding for the project.

Sources

1. Texas quietly defunds state border wall program
2. Texas spent $3 billion to build 65 miles of border wall. The ...
3. With only 8% built, Texas quietly defunds state border wall ...
4. With only 8% built, Texas quietly defunds state border wall ...
5. Texas stops providing new funding for border wall construction
6. Texas Defunds Border Wall After Spending $3 Billion
7. Texas spent $3 billion to build 65 miles of border wall. The ...
8. Landowner resistance forces Texas to build wall in remote areas