Eleven GOP senators voted to cancel President Donald Trump’s declaration of a national border emergency and his subsequent transfer of agency funding to build the border wall.
This 54 to 41 vote was not about the border wall, but whether “the Congress of the United States of America should yield its constitutionally prescribed power of the purse to the President,” said Maine GOP Sen. Susan Collins.
“The answer to that question, regardless of who is in the White House … should be no,” Collins continued. “Congress alone is empowered by the constitution to adopt laws directing money from the U.S. Treasury.”
The president “stole” the money, and “I will not stand for that,” said Vermont Democrat Sen. Patrick Leahy. The president took the funding from other projects, such as the replacement of older schools at military bases, said Leahy, who is the top Democrat on the appropriations panel.
Senators should vote against the resolution because “there is no Earthly reason why Democrats would force us to have one or the other,” said Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY).
Pro-Gun Organizations Slap Virginia With Complaint Alleging Virginia Defied Court Orders on Gun Control
Chemical Tank Disaster Victim Remains are Found
Fourth US drug boat strike in a week kills more ‘narco-terrorists’
Fight for Los Angeles mayor tightens up as Karen Bass, Spencer Pratt, and Nithya Raman make final pitch
Trump flips script on left, maneuvers to use foreign influence law against the them
US military attacks Iran in ‘self-defense strikes’ over the weekend and more top headlines
Dem Mayor Offers Support to ‘Trans Period’ Event Featuring Free Undies
California GOP incumbents go to war in Trump loyalty test
Dem Gov Gets Rare Conservative Credit, Then Blows It With Embarrassing Victim Routine
Sailboat tracking shutoff could be crucial in Lynette Hooker disappearance, expert says
NYC landlord pleads for help as ‘9-year-squatter’ continues to drain him dry in court saga: ‘Twilight Zone’
One southern city you’ve never heard of is growing faster than anywhere else in America
Retiring Senate Democrats open door to anti-filibuster successors
Ex-Iowa school superintendent sentenced to prison as an illegal alien found with firearms
Elderly couple fatally stabbed inside Queens apartment, no arrests made as investigation continues: report
“The joint resolution is passed,” Utah Sen. Mitt Romney announced from the Senate’s chair.
The 11 GOP senators who voted against the emergency and the wall included Collins, Romney, retiring Sen. Lamar Alexander (TN), along with Sens. Roy Blunt (MO), Mike Lee (UT), Jerry Moran (KS), Lisa Murkowski (AK), Rand Paul (KY), Rob Portman (OH), Pat Toomey (PA), and Roger Wicker (MS).
Collins spoke during the brief debate and vote, saying she supported additional construction at the border.
Several GOP senators declined to vote.
Trump will likely veto the resolution, and the 54 votes in favor are not enough to overcome the president’s veto.
Trump announced the emergency in February after Democrats blocked the funding for the border wall. Trump’s emergency declaration uses powers that prior Congresses voted to give to the president.
Story cited here.
