Washington D.C. – The Democratic-led House approved by a 245-182 vote a resolution on Tuesday that would terminate President Trump’s declaration of a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border, a declaration he made to allow him to access funds to build a wall without congressional consent.
Only 13 Republicans joined Democrats to oppose the president, signaling that Congress will not ultimately have the veto-proof margin required to override Trump.
So what does our Congressman, Eliot Engel, Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee have to say about H.J.Res. 46, a resolution to terminate President Trump’s national emergency declaration which would divert military funding to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border:
“I was proud to cosponsor and vote YES on H.J. Res. 46. From the beginning, this national emergency declaration was a farce,” Congressman Engel (D – District 16 that includes parts of the Bronx and Westchester County) shares with Black Westchester. “It was a gross power grab by a desperate President who, even after manufacturing a fake crisis at the border, still couldn’t secure funding for his ridiculous wall.”
“The Constitution is clear: Congress has the power of the purse. If the President’s emergency declaration is allowed to stand, it will undermine the balance of power between the President and Congress and set a dangerous precedent. I swore an oath to defend the Constitution. Today, I’m upholding that oath, and ensuring Congress remains a co-equal branch of government.”
The resolution now heads to the Senate. It is a privileged measure, which means it is not subject to a filibuster, needs only a simply majority and is required to come to the floor for a vote within weeks. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., told reporters on Tuesday that he expects the Senate will vote on it before March 18.
So far only three Senate Republicans – Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, and Thom Tillis of North Carolina – say they will vote with Democrats in opposition to the president’s actions.
