The U.S. House of Representatives took up House Resolution 46 to block President Trump’s emergency declaration to build a barrier at the southern border. Four of the five voted against the resolution. Congresswoman Kendra Horn voted in favor of it.
Shortly after Tuesday’s vote, Congressmen Frank Lucas, Tom Cole and Markwayne Mullin issued statements on the resolution’s passage. It is the first time since Congress gave the President emergency declaration powers in 1976 that the body has formally challenged a declaration.
Congressman Lucas:
“The constitutional authority of providing appropriations to our nation’s vital programs and various agencies and departments is one of the most important roles Congress is granted. Since the first appropriations bill in 1789, Congress has executed its duties and provided funding for our nation’s national defense as well as our agricultural producers. Unfortunately, Congressional Democrats are refusing to address the national security and humanitarian crisis at the Southern border.
Throughout my tenure in Congress, I have voted time and time again to secure our nation’s borders and improve security at our ports of entry. While I am cautious of the use of national emergencies which reprograms appropriated funds, I am committed to addressing the ongoing crisis at our Southern border.
While the debate regarding our nation’s border security is ongoing, I am committed to working with my colleagues on building an immigration system that ends illegal immigration and protects our country.”
Congressman Cole:
“President Trump preferred a legislative solution to securing our border. Unfortunately, Democrats refused to negotiate in good faith and authorize the necessary funding for the solutions the country needs. By declaring a national emergency and not unlike past presidents, President Trump is acting well within his authority under the National Emergencies Act. As usual, Democrats have signaled that they are more interested in opposing the president than confronting a real humanitarian and security crisis on our southern border for American people.”
Congressman Mullin:
“Presidents of the United States have the lawful right to declare a national emergency in times of great crisis. Ninety percent of all heroin in the United States comes through our porous southern border. Over 70,000 Americans died from drug overdoses in 2017. There were 1.7 million pounds of narcotics seized by Customs and Border Protection during fiscal year 2018. Without a doubt, our county is in the midst of a crisis.
“Presidents since Jimmy Carter have declared national emergencies for any number of reasons—both foreign and domestic. They range from declarations on the blood diamond trade in Sierra Leone by President Bill Clinton to the swine flu epidemic and the threat of criminal cartels at our southern border declared by President Barack Obama. This politically motivated charade put on by House Democrats must end. We must build the wall in order to combat the crisis at our southern border.”
