Ted Cruz revives call to build border wall with El Chapo's drug money

With Tuesday's conviction of Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman in New York City, Sen. Ted Cruz is once again seeking support for a bill that would make the drug kingpin pay for a border wall.

"America's justice system prevailed today in convicting Joaquín Guzmán Loera, aka El Chapo, on all 10 counts," the Texas Republican wrote in a Twitter post. "It's time to pass my EL CHAPO Act. I urge my Senate colleagues to take swift action on this crucial legislation."

Guzman was found guilty on charges including narcotics trafficking and taking part in a money laundering conspiracy, The Hill reported.

The Ensuring Lawful Collection of Hidden Assets to Provide Order (El CHAPO) Act would repurpose $14 billion in assets that the government is seeking from the drug lord to fund construction of the wall. Cruz reintroduced the bill last month..

"Fourteen billion dollars will go a long way toward building a wall that will keep Americans safe and hinder the illegal flow of drugs, weapons, and individuals across our southern border," Cruz wrote when he first made the proposal in April 2017.