WASHINGTON – The Democratic-led House Tuesday voted to block President Trump’s national emergency declaration at the southern border, sending the measure to the Senate for another showdown over funding the border wall with Mexico.
The resolution blocks Trump’s declaration that an “invasion” at the Mexican border requires him to redirect billions of dollars from other programs to build the wall.
The vote was 245-182, with 13 Republicans joining all the Democrats in favor.
“The president’s declaration is a phony, fraudulent and fake national emergency. There is no crisis at the border,” said Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-Brooklyn).
The resolution now heads to the Senate where it could pass with just four GOP defections.
But it’s unlikely there are 67 votes — the two-thirds required — to overcome a presidential veto.
Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) announced Tuesday he’d vote with the Democrats, joining GOP Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska.
Other Republicans say they are still mulling the resolution.
House Republicans, who once vehemently railed against President Obama’s “executive overreach,” backed the president’s authority.
“Hopefully it doesn’t get past the Senate,” said Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.). “But ultimately we are going to stand with the president in making sure we can secure this border and confront this national crisis that’s taking lives every single day.”
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell agreed to back Trump’s national emergency to ensure the president signed a bipartisan bill to reopen the government after a 35-day shutdown.
That legislation only allocated $1.375 billion in border fencing – far less than the $5.7 billion Trump demanded from Congress before the shutdown.
McConnell declined to say Tuesday whether he thinks Trump’s national emergency, which is under court challenge from New York and 15 other states — is legal.
“I haven’t reached a total conclusion,” said McConnell.