The House Committee on Armed Services has denied a Pentagon request to reroute about $1 billion in U.S. Army funds to construction of President Trump’s border wall. The Defense Department proposed diverting $1 billion in Army funds, drawn primarily from its military personnel account, to build 58 miles of fence. The Pentagon took the near-unprecedented step in transferring the money without congressional approval, likely angering Committee Chairman Adam Smith (D-WA). Smith previously said he may strip the Pentagon of its reprogramming authority if it did so. “The committee does not approve the proposal use of Department of Defense funds to construct additional physical barriers and roads or install lighting in the vicinity of the United States border,” the denial from Rep. Smith read.