National emergency: Democrats set vote on bill to block Trump …
During a press conference in the Rose Garden, President Trump admitted that he didn't need to declare a national emergency to fund his border wall, but that he did it so he could "get it done faster." USA TODAY
WASHINGTON The House plans to vote Tuesday on aresolutionto try to block President Donald Trump's declaration of anemergency along the southern border,House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Friday.
"The president of the United States is declaring a national emergency to honor an applause line in a rally," Pelosi said on a conference call with reporters Friday morning.
"Not only is he disrespecting the legislative branch and the Constitution of the United States, he is dishonoring the office in which he serves," said the California Democrat, who spoke from the border city of Laredo, Texas.
Trump announced the declaration last week as a means of freeing up billions to pay for his proposed wall along the U.S.-Mexico border after Congress failed to give him the money he demanded.
Democrats have called the declaration an overreach of Trump's power and have vowed to fight it. Their resolution, if it passed both chambers of Congress,would terminate the emergency declaration. But even if Congress approves it,the president could veto it.
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office on Friday, Trump vowed to veto the resolution 100 percent.
And I dont think it survives a veto, the president predicted.
Pelosi said the resolution would come up in the House Rules Committee Monday night and then likely be brought to the floor on Tuesday.
House Democrats introduced the resolution Friday. As of Friday morning it had more than 225co-sponsors, according to lead sponsor Rep. Joaquin Castro of Texas. The bill hadone GOP co-sponsor, Rep. Justin Amash of Michigan.
"This is ahistoric power grab and it will require historic unity by members of Congress Republican and Democrat, liberal and conservative to counteract the presidents parasitic movement," Castro said.
He and Pelosi said they were trying to recruit Republicans to sign onto the bill.
The bill is expected to pass the Democratic-controlled House, but its future is uncertain in the Republican-held Senate. However, unlike most legislation, theresolution is rooted in a provision from the National Emergencies Act that would require it to be voted upon within 18 calendar days after it is introducedand then be sent to the Senate.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi holds a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington Jan. 31, 2019. Pelosi urged members to join in backing a resolution to halt the national emergency.(Photo11: Michael Reynolds, epa-efe)
Normally, if Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnelldoesn't want to bring legislation from the House to the floor he can block it from getting a vote. But once this bill passes the House which is it expected to do the Senate will have to take it up within 18 days of receiving it.
Many Republicans have said they were uncomfortable with the president declaring a national emergency toget funding for a wall along the southern border, but it's unclear whether they would vote for such an effort.
A copy of theone-page resolution was sent out by Pelosi late Wednesday to all members of theHouse, where she urged them to join in backing the move.
"All Members take an oath of office to support and defend the Constitution," Pelosi said in her letter. "The Presidents decision to go outside the bounds of the law to try to get what he failed to achieve in the constitutional legislative process violates the Constitution and must be terminated.We have a solemn responsibility to uphold the Constitution, and defend our system of checks and balances against the Presidents assault."
"This is not about politics, it's not about partisanship.It's about patriotism. That's why I wrote a letter about this resolution, Mr. Castro's resolution, to all members 'Dear colleague'not 'Dear Democratic colleague,'"Pelosi said Friday.
Trump made the emergency declaration after Congress allocated$1.375 billion for a barrier along the southern border, far short of the $5.7 billion Trump had demanded. The fight over wall funding led to a 35-day government shutdown the longest on record.
White House officials have saidthe emergency declaration and other budget maneuvers wouldfree up an additional $6.6 billion, which wouldbuild at least 234 miles of border wall.
Along with Congress moving to void the order, the move has also drawn a number of legal challenges in court.
Sixteen states alreadyfiled a lawsuit over Trump'semergency declaration, arguing it exceeds the power of the president and unconstitutionally redirects federal money that Congress had set aside for other purposes.
In addition to the resolution, Pelosi Friday did not rule out committee chairmen filing lawsuits over the wall.
More: 16 states sue Trump over national emergency declaration, border wall
More: National emergencies are common; declaring one for a border wall is not
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