Trump could care less about the silly wall - other than it was a conceived mnemonic to remind his alleged mind to focus on uniting his followers against a fallacious threat. He is in a no-lose situation if the Supreme Court rules either for, or against, this so-called emergency. His only concern is satisfying his FOX masters.
1
Will Congress please hear the people, or do they deem us too stupid now that they are in a position to do something?
I don't care about a wall; don't think a wall is the answer along the entire border. BUT, we do have an immigration crisis! Americans are not for open borders, unlike Congress. It would seem that Dems especially will not uphold our immigration laws, will not reform them with 21st century realism. By continuing to fight like babies in a sandbox, they prove that not only do they not care what we think, they'd prefer to abdicate their responsibility to keep the US secure, to uphold our sovereignty, in favor some idiotic idea that somehow the US is to be the savoir of south and central america. Open borders, sanctuary cities... what next?
Congress - get it together and work out a solution that proves you are going to enforce the laws. I don't care if you are afraid of looking like you support an idea of your hated president. I don't care about your re-election. DO YOUR JOB!!!!
2
Amazing that Mitch McConnell would vote to limit the powers of the Senate. Ditto with Lindsay Graham - his old pal, John Mc Cain, who had some guts, is no doubt rolling over in his grave.
2
Susan Collins gets another 15 minutes of fame as she heads down Redemption Lane.
Only a child or a malignant narcissist flies into a rage when they don't get their way.
Republicans who still support this man are limiting their support to cult members only in the next election.
2
These wishy-washy dirty dozen loser Republicans have been against Trump right from the beginning. Their Republican constituents should vote them out and vote in some real Republicans who stand with our fine president!
1
Graham, Sasse, and Cruz “agonized” over their votes? On this? Knowing it would be vetoed anyway?
Sasse?
For a literal concrete wall that is an environmental disaster and a symbol of hatred?
Don’t you like open spaces in Nebraska?
Don’t you hate presidential overreach?
I guess I kind of hoped you’d take up the Jeff Flake mantle.
1
Since this vote concerns a personal campaign promise by trump (does not deserve to be capitalized), he should recuse himself from issuing a veto.
3
This is great news for Dems on the next senator election. Reps won't vote for the Senator Reps that voted against the National Emergency. And who else voted for them in the first place - Reps.
Why do Senators Tillis, Gardner, Sasse, Ernst, and McSally want to be reelected in 2020? They are not truly being senators since they have abdicated their constitutional responsibilities.
3
McConnell knows exactly what he's doing. Encouraging Senate Republicans to "vote their conscience" is brilliant strategy. First, Trump will veto, and the Senate won't have the votes to stop him. Second, Trump has put over $8 billion into his budget specifically for the wall - and of course those Senate Republicans who voted against the national emergency will vote FOR the budget.
Bam. Satisfies the Trump cult base = reelection in the bag.
Border between the U.S. and Canada is OK. But why is the border between the U.S. and Mexico not OK?
These immigrants come to the U.S. primarily to escape problems in their native countries (Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama) which includes a stagnant economy, high levels of crime, political corruption and widespread drug use. There is a legal way to request a green card to enter the U.S., however unlawful mobs entry is not allowed. Shame and disgrace of all these central American countries and their governments who fail to feed their people, to give them medical care, good housing, and jobs. These central American countries and their governments are the ones at fault.
Sorry that your country does not love you anymore. To find true love you need to find and walk on God’s Holy road which will one day open the gate to His Kingdom in Heaven. The road you are currently walking is man made and will only bring you tears and despair, darkness and regrets.
1
Notice to all Republican Congresspeople: A vote to overturn Trump's veto is not a vote against any single policy. It is a vote in favor of the Constitution of the United States. It is a vote against Presidential usurpation of Congressional authority. If you support the Constitution, you should vote to overturn.
3
This vote is more than a rebuke to President Trump. It drives home to him the basic constitutional principle that presidential powers are not limitless.
What we are witnessing is a test of the hallowed checks-and-balances principle which the three branches of government are constitutionally bound to adhere to. The 41 Republican senators who voted against the measure have pooh-poohed that principle. It is a shame that they were cowed by Trump’s cheap warning that a vote against his emergency declaration would be “a vote for Nancy Pelosi, Crime, and the Open Border Democrats!”
The arrogant Trump will surely veto the measure and Congress may reintroduce and pass it again and again, only to be vetoed by him every time.
Even if his veto ultimately prevails, let him not be under any illusion that his emergency declaration will stand and that he will be free to build his fantasy wall. As suggested in this story, the bold measure which Congress has adopted, is going to spawn numerous lawsuits challenging the emergency declaration as a flagrant violation of the Constitution’s separation of powers.
The unpleasant task of striking down the declaration as unconstitutional will be that of the judiciary. That will give the third branch of the government a change to remind Trump that it, along with the legislature, is coequal to the one he presides over and that it also has the authority to put a check on his powers.
Are we in for a prolonged constitutional showdown or breakdown?
Okay, so when there are outbreaks of measles and mumps, when there are kids that die at the border, and when kids are imported as sex slaves, please, don't tell me that's the fault of anyone other than Congress and the sanctuary states/cities as they would not uphold our borders, our laws, or any of the practical things like protecting our citizens, and the citizens of Central America, from the likes of cartels and gangs.
This vote reiterates the need and demand for separation of powers. Congress has twice now officially made it's position clear: no funding for the wall. So should Trump follow through with a veto, it can be more easily argued that his action is an affront to the right of Congress to appropriate funds. Members who did not support this recent measure can now easily justify their support of an override because it truly is now all about separation of powers and not about border security.
2
A crisis on our own border, described as the worst they have seen by Border Patrol agents, can not possibly be an emergency, according to Democrats.
US citizens are still reeling from previous national emergencies and are still in recovery from those that were declared in the past.
Columbia, Cuba, Sudan, Albania, Macedonia, Zimbabwe, Iraq, Syria, Belarus, Congo, Lebanon, North Korea, Somalia, Libya, Yemen, Central African Republic, Ukraine, Venezuela and last but not least, Burundi have all warranted being declared a US National Emergency.
There is nothing that could possibly happen in Burundi that would constitute an emergency in the US.
Do you think the American people remember that US National emergency caused by Burundi? Can Americans find Burundi on a map?
These are the precedents that Democrats are leaning on as proof that Trump has overstepped his bounds by declaring a national emergency.
Democrats don't like Americans too much.
2
You would have a point if any of the national emergencies you refer to spent money that had been denied by Congress.
1
@Ken
The Wall is a fantasy contrived by Our Great Divider. Supposedly, this morphing construct will be impenetrable to drugs, terrorists, criminals, gang members, human traffickers, and the destitute, some believing (rightly or wrongly) they will be granted asylum.
First, this thing was going to be 30- to 35-foot high, concrete, and cost just $8B. Fantasy. Now, his claim is that the US is already receiving Mexico's money because of his trade deal. Fantasy.
It was Democrats who helped approved over a billion for improved border security when some Republicans would not. Even though, the Republicans controlled the Executive and both houses of Congress, THEY would not give him his Wall!
When Trump took The Dreamers' future hostage, Democratic leadership was willing to pay the ransom in Wall dollars. After Trump gloated about a deal, he got reprimanded by Coulter and Rush, so he added every Republican Reform and deal blew-up. Trump is so dumb; Republicans afraid of same base would not support that path to Wall.
Wall Fanatacists need to wake-up. On the eve of his election, Candidate Trump promised tremendous numbers coming through big, beautiful gates. Hello? They're going to overstay their temporary worker visas. Republican legislators protect the employers. Wake-up already.
King Donald the 1st of the USA now has the controls he needs when it comes to controlling congress by having a majority of Republican senators do what he requires. Those wimps who voted against this bill have proven that he has his control over them and in order for them to be reelected they will have to be at his feet forever.
2
Call me cynical, but I very much doubt the intermediate senate vote amounts to a “rejection” of the border emergency declaration or an assertion of “semi-independence” by republican senators. And the republican claim that “It’s about respecting the principles of the Constitution” is sheer sophistry. Let’s see how many republican senators will vote to overturn the presidential veto and respect the “principles of the constitution.”
2
Thom Tillis, a man who stands by his word. Until he doesn't.
5
Good start. Now we need a dozen more Republican senators to put country ahead of party and serve all the American people, not just the uber-wealthy. Who has the courage and wisdom to rise to the occasion?
2
"Three Republican senators — Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Ben Sasse of Nebraska and Ted Cruz of Texas — interrupted Mr. Trump’s dinner with his wife, Melania, at the White House Wednesday night..."
For the first time ever, I actually have compassion for Trump.
2
Thank you Ohio Senator Portman for returning to you more reasonable and thoughtful conservatism with your yea vote. As my Rep and then Senator I disagreed with most of your positions and votes but always respected your level of integrity and cogent arguments. Then you drifted farther and farther right with the advent of what came to be known as Trumpism. You lost me completely so disappointed I was in your buying what that integrity free cabal was selling. “Welcome back to the fight. This time I “believe Constitutional integrity will eventually return to patriotic conservatives like you.
Why does the NY Times repeatedly fail to note that "one of the core promises that animated Mr. Trump’s political rise" was NOT to spend billions on a border wall, but to have Mexico pay for a border wall?? Why is it so hard for the media to remember this very crucial distinction?
4
It is interesting that there are at least a few Republicans in the Senate who will follow their sworn duty to uphold the Constitution rather than bow down to Trump. It is interesting that there are so many among them who will not.
It is also interesting that Trump can't really defend his physical wall but must lie to his credulous base by saying that opposing his stupidity is tantamount to wanting open borders. If his position is so right and so necessary on this subject why does he need to frame it in terms of his incessant lies?
1
Trump is predictably continues to carry out his secret missions of dividing th country and weakening our constitutional democracy by all means. Who will benefit?
Unmask the foreign spy tool. And punish him, severely.
Ted Cruz. Shame on you.
1
Just because a candidate makes a promise and voters are foolish enough to believe it doesn't automatically give him a right to follow through with it. Candidates often make promises they can't keep and shouldn't have made in the first place. The border wall was not Trump's only promise or his most important. He's already broken many promises. He promised not to cut Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid and the budget he submitted to Congress does just that to. He promised to replace the ACA with something better and cheaper that would cover everyone; instead he's made health insurance more expensive and less comprehensive and fewer people are covered. And the promise he really made, that people heard was border security and immigration control. That doesn't necessarily have to include a wall.
2
It seems that 41 Republican Senators have no spine and are not willing to defend the Constitution. How many have been offered back channel payoffs by Trump?
1
Tillis's seat might not be safe anyway, so maybe he is setting himself up for a post office cushy job. Graham, Sasse and Cruz are playing both sides but they are just a tool for Trump. End of Story!
3
This is what should be publicized about the Senators who voted against the bill to overturn trumps executive-scam-to-build-his-wall.
There are 22 Republican Senate Seats that are up for re-election in 2020. Lamar Alexander and Susan Collins voted yes on the bill(don't get confused, a yes vote is a vote against trump sham)
There are 20 Senators who should be voted out of office:
Michael Enzi, James Risch, Hames Inhofe, Mike Rounds,
Shelly Moore Capio, Tom Cotton, Ben Sasse, Pat Roberts, Mitch McConnell (for so many reasons he has to go-never forget Merrick Garland),Steve Daines, Bill Cassidy, Lindsey Graham (two faced). John Cornyn, Cindy Hyde-Smith, Dan Sullivan, David Perdue, Martha McSally, Joni Ernst, Thom Tillis.
Keep this list as a scorecard of the republican senators who don't have a decent, honest, moral bone in their spines.
They kow tow to a dictator wannabe and trample our Constitution, Rules of Law, and common decency.
Call them, tell them to shut the door quietly on their way out--- or vote to overcome trump's veto.
4
"The Southern Border is a National Security and Humanitarian Nightmare, but it can be easily fixed!"
5:44 AM - Mar 14, 2019
Most try the really simple fix: "Just wake-up."
But, some are determined to deny, deny, deny reality.
So, their nightmare awaits.
If one of the base/ russians trolls can come on here and give a fact based, rational explanation of why trump didnt build the wall when he had control, I would be most grateful.
Not fox news facts by the way. Real actual honest proven facts.
Otherwise there is no other conclusion whatsoever that this emergency is a complete lie and the gop are enabling a wannabe dictator.
3
This vote shows, once again, that Republican Senators are independent thinkers, something that is totally lost on the Democrat side, with their totalitarian style of voting whatever the Party says. Shame on them!
That’s baloney.
Well I see susan collins is right up front. She loves to be the center of attention but in the end voters for trump and falls in line. What a wasted excuse for a representative
7
The Republicans that didn't vote for this have violated their oath of office to uphold the Constitution. Not only that, they are now on record in showing that their allegiance does not belong to this country, but to Donald Trump personally. These Senators are not "representatives" of the people, they are a cult of personality. And every single one of them should be thrown out of office.
19
First of all, this doesn't seem like the "latest" sign that Republicans in congress are reasserting themselves. What are the other signs supposed to have been? To me this seems like the ONLY sign of any more than two or three Republicans going against Trump.
Second, what does "the Senate should not be in the business of misusing specific resolutions to express opinions on more general matters" from McConnell even mean? What he really thinks is "the Senate should not be in the business of contradicting Dear Leader", but he could at least make up a lie that has some sort of superficial meaning.
14
I’m sure Trump and the 41 other National Republicans are waiting on word from Rush Limbaugh on what to do next.
9
Can’t wait for the next Dem president to declare a national emergency to combat climate change, gun violence and lack of health care and infrastructure! Those are the real threats to our society
14
Oh my, the Constitution still lives. How tedious for our anything else I say goes President!
3
Guess quavering Collins got a sudden fleeting flashback of conscience. No worries she'll be back voting to reduce Americams to serfs on behalf of her owners, the Koch Brothers, in no time.
5
Abuse of power, pure and simple. Let's remember that "Abuse of Power" was the title of one of the three Articles of Impeachment brought against Richard Nixon. Trump has blatantly misused "national emergency declaration" powers to try to do an end run around Congress on a matter that is not a national emergency.
9
There was no real harm in the Republicans making this stand, since the President's veto cannot be overridden with 59 votes.
We as citizens needed to understand what every Senator stood on this issue of executive overreach. What I regret is that a majority vote is not enough to override a veto, because then we would see who really had a spine.
73
@ann
Voting against this resolution is voting for overthrowing the US Government.
All hail Emperor Trump
1
@ann The harm is to the Republican brand, for those Republicans who voted against. I've seen video compilations of the GOP piling on Obama for his executive actions, despite the fact only one was overturned (other policies overturned were actions of his administration, not executive orders). One after another, it was "wresting power from Congress" and "using his executive pen to do what Congress voted not to do," etc. Emperor Obama!
But it's nothing new. The Republican conservative brand is now revealed as fake because of the astounding hypocrisy they've shown since Trump was elected.
Obviously, they no longer care about fiscal responsibility, small government, character, free trade, American foreign influence, the working class, governmental redistribution of wealth, and human rights violations by other nations. No, those things are only issues when they aren't getting their way.
They get some conservative judges, a sugar-high economy with a veneer of success atop what Obama accomplished (a veneer that will crash beneath massive national debt and deficit), the optics of a US embassy now in Jerusalem, and governmental redistribution of wealth (from the middle class to the top 10%). For that, the GOP presides over the erosion of civil discourse, Congressional power, and Constitutional law; America as lap dog to Putin and Putins lite like MBS, anti-humanitarian policies on the southern border, and the resurgence of racism and prejudice.
Oh, there's harm. They don't care.
2
My senator Mr Tillis would have been far better off if he had maintained his earlier stance as an unprincipled lackey of President Trump. But he made a promise to uphold the Costitution then reneged when he got some heat. Now he has proven himself an unprincipled lackey of President Trump and also a craven flip flop.
22
Those who did not support this bill would have us living in a dictatorship, where the Constitution isn't worth the paper it's written on.
They are traitors to this country. And that is not hyperbole - that is a FACT. Every single on of them needs to be thrown out of office.
32
Veto Trump!
Remove from office, prosecute for innumerable acts of corruption and criminality, and then lock him in solitary somewhere, safely away from access to social media or any other fellow co-conspirator.
11
I hope we all will be able to tweet
JAIL when the mueller report comes out!
15
Kellyanne Conway oftens appears on tv giving interviews defending Trump she goes off subject constantly talks incessantly over the top of overs rarely answers a question directly. Takes up so much time avoiding giving an answer and gets huffy when the host tries again to to get a direct answer from her. Why is this so???
4
It's amazing how so few people want to think of the future and what the current immigration emergency means for it. First off tax increases to support these people whereever they settle, then since not all are perfect the inevitable crimes they'll commit while here, in a few years we'll be faced with a DACA 2 where the little ones brought now demand to stay because it was no fault of their own. Illegal immigration is total lawlessness. In an honest America there would be bipartisan support for the wall and all other measures that discourage and remove the illegal alien.
2
Why, a wall is ineffective and migration is what made this country wealthy.
4
@Cirago except for the fact that the biggest source comes from visa overstays.
3
@Cirago
How is this immigration just now an emergency and yet, it was evaded for two years when Republicans had both the House and Senate and could have passed funding at any time during those two years?
When are Republican voters going to realize they are being played?
9
Impeach.
It’s time to have a President that knows what he, or she, is doing.
11
Trump should have some fun and ask for funding to dismantle the 700 miles of existing border fence since a border wall is useless.
2
Why is this still an issue. Trump is clearly abusing Presidential powers that the constitution was created foremost to stop such abuse and with a quarter of Republicans voting with Dems in this era of such angst and disagreements between the parties, it’s clear to me this must be stopped. If Alexander of TN says hes against it, a conservative in the 1st degree, so we know for certain the only reason other Repubs didn’t vote that way is because they fear Trump, they fear his 35% base. The last time the tables were turned & Dems were in this position it cost them terribly and for a decade... so sad these descenders who we know despise Trump but are so cowardish and fearful of losing their seats can’t stand up and be men, American men. Cowards did not build this country... strong men who voted their principles like Alexander are the grit and tough guys who made this country what it is. Shame on the rest of the GOP COWARDS, and most obvious South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham. I used to think he was a man who’d vote his conscience but he’s clearly changed directions, sold out to Trump because he quickly realized he’d not be the-elected if he did not. What a disappointment. The one guy in the GOP I thought beyond selling out has proven me a fool & himself to be the biggest coward in the senate. Shame on U for ruining your great history of Compromise with your honorable friend John McCain. He clearly kept you straight but I’m very certain he’s turning over in his grave now.
8
it is a shame that our president has to beg for money to secure our border.
3
A decision change at the last minute, an interrupted dinner to talk, etc. Craven cowards and traitors to their oaths to defend the Constitution, not to thwart it. These Republicans must *go*. The answer is a well-designed immigration policy with firm defense, but, oh, no, the publicity over a ridiculous wall, even at the expense of Constitutional law is so much more important to these horribly selfish people. Frost: "Good fences make good neighbors." (Irony!!)
4
So much for Ben Sasse.
6
Crimes are more likely to occur in the Oval Office and corporate board rooms than at the southern border. We should worry more about that.
19
Listening to talking heads this afternoon and was in slight disbelief as one said that finally, an issue presented itself that caused the Republican Party to rebuke Trump. And others agreed!
Really? Voting 41-12 in favor of the emergency declaration was a"rebuke?" Fewer than one in four objected to Trump violating one of the most fundamental tenets of the Constitution and that's an example of the GOP showing backbone? How far we've fallen as a nation in two short years. (Ok. Two very long years.) And the Republican Party-before-country is irredeemably lost.
8
This takes me back to the not-so-distant past. I remember when Tea Party conservatives would, on demand, pull out the laminated mini-Constitutions they conveniently carried in their front pockets while waving a bible around and yammering about "constitutional conservatism", separation of powers, and "morals" in public office. Flash to the present--this president wipes his feet on both documents, and they give him a pass. Haven't heard much from that crowd lately --some "principles".
10
While this resolution is certainly a flagrant abuse of executive authority steamrolling over the legislature, no can say it hasn't been coming. Without casting blame on either side of the political spectrum, Congress has been ceding its authority to the Executive for decades now. Every time our country has been involved in war, at least from the Civil War onward, the President has been gaining greater powers: Lincoln suspending the writ of habeas corpus and declaring martial law, Wilson and Roosevelt's oversized abilities to pressure Congress into entering the world wars, and of course Truman entering the Korean War without expressed Congressional authority. We have seen what looked like justifiable actions in the moment snowball the President's powers to an extent that today bears little resemblance to the planners' intentions. Yes, Declaring a National Emergency to build a wall is an unacceptable move of despotism that may remind us of the dictatorial-presidents of the -Stan countries. No, it should not be unexpected. We're now facing the inevitable consequences of weakened checks at the same time as Americans are turning to that other tired sentiment of American politics: authoritarianism.
Republicans, I'm convinced, despise our Constitution, don't believe in democracy, and would prefer going back to a monarchy with lords and landed gentry in charge. Any Senator that sided with DJT in his wrong-headed power grab needs to be voted out. Either we are a constitutional republic or not. An incredible amount of lives were given to make and preserve this republic - and 41 Senators just voted against it.
12
Can't wait for a Democratic president to declare a national emergency to finance conversion of our energy system to hydro-electric, wind, solar and geothermal! Since climate change is a national security threat, the money could be taken from the Pentagon and Homeland Security budgets. Thanks, President Trump. You're finally doing something about climate change.
7
Mike Lee read the writing on the wall. Lee told Trump he was willing to give in on this “emergency” but not the next one. When Trump signaled that he wouldn’t agree to losing his power to declare emergencies in the future, he made it clear that he prioritizes power over everything else.
9
A veto of this resolution should not be allowed. The whole point of blocking the emergency declaration is to prevent presidential abuse of power. President should not be allowed to veto that.
7
And the house of cards finally begins to fall.
3
Oh, my God, don't tell me the Senate is finally growing a little backbone. This whole administration has been so full of surprises, I have to admit, this also surprises me. No doubt Trump will revel in his veto power, but who knows, maybe even that will be a surprise and he won't do it as he can excuse the inaction on the wall by blaming it on Congress.
2
I have no problems politicians lying to the public to get elected to do public good. Once they get elected, they should do good. This president lied during the elections and lied even more after the election. Now, the protection of our democracy is not in the hands of public, but in the hands of appointed judges with cognitive biases. This is a crisis, I always thought the country will unite in a crisis. Instead, the partisan politics is so poisoned, they are letting the country to destroy itself and our military is helpless. At this point, a military coup will have people’s support.
2
Everyone agrees that we need better security at the border, but how we go about it is another matter. However, it's been proven that a wall is not the answer, so why does he keep raising the ante every time he talks about the "wall". It matters not that he doesn't know what he's doing, he just does it. I seriously doubt if he has gotten around to reading the Constitution. Chances are he never will. What he will do while devouring his big Macs is dream of becoming an autocrat.
2
Who "proved" that? I disagree on that point.
Well, Trump and his supporters love four-letter words as five-letter words are too difficult.
2
Mitch McConnell is anything but ambivalent. I actually wish I had ever seen a sign in him that he might be considering something other than the wrong choice.
3
Help me understand if I’m wrong. So the law is anyone who steps into the territory of the United States even illegally can apply for asylum. Then government has to process the asylum case and then grant it or deny it. Doesn’t that encourage caravans of people to march towards US and if they can cross the border then they automatically get the right to asylum application? I hear on news that people are fleeing because of violence in their country and trying to cross US border and are here with kids. Some cases could be legit and some people could be just marching to take advantage of others situation. If you allow one caravan then there would be many more coming and with kids, how would you handle those? What if some agents on other side of border take money from needy people with the promise to help them reach US border and then they can cross illegally and apply for asylum in States. Should United States let everyone enter? I don’t think any country would allow everyone to enter in their country. Leaders are just doing politics to divide us so they could get votes and stay in power and do NOTHING.
I know as a foreigner that America is one of the greatest country and most of the Americans are very kindhearted people. They (Americans) help you in every possible way and are very tolerant to other cultures, ethnicities and religious. I met the most amazing Americans who helped me change my life forever; while I was just a stranger to them.
Make Humanity Great Again.
1
Of Course We Need The Wall- build it. The truth is we have allowed an excessive volume of illegal immigrants in already and it's just too many. No one on the left can tell us how many "enough" is so that proves that for that belief system there's no limit.
The attack on Pearl Harbor was a national emergency. The Kennedy assassination was a national emergency. The Cuban missle crisis was a national emergency.
The fact that, with all our billions, we are unable to review asylum claims in a timely manner, leading to poor familes trying to sneak in, to pick fruit and clean toilets is not a national emergency.
Who knows what could be done to alleviate this situation with 8 billion dollars. But that would take hard work, and there would be no cheering from Fox News.
4
Trust me. Building a 2,000 mile wall is absurd, and anyone with any sense knows it. The wall will draw comparisons to East Germany and even enthusiasts will change their minds. Building a wall around the US feels UnAmerican and Trump will regret this.
1
I thought the campaign promise was, "...and Mexico will pay for it." Sticking us with the bill is a broken campaign promise. Give it up, Don.
2
Susan Collins must be worried about all the money that has been raised to defeat her in the upcoming election for her seat.
Ms. Collins is pro Trump on everything so it’s a little to late to pretend that you have an independent mind on one or two votes,
1) Is it right?
2) What and where are democratic principles being upheld?
3) Why is this not an example of rule by dictatorship?
1
If Trump's authority to declare an emergency is based on a general authorization by congress, but congress says no to a specific proposed application, that damages any possibility that Trump's declaration of emergency will be upheld by the courts.
5
I am really surprised that many republicans defected from Trump's authoritarian power grab.
I hope more come to their senses and override the veto
There IS no "border emergency" except in the way the asylum seekers are being treated.
I watched the surge at the border under Bush II. It was truly amazing how many walked in, among so many amazing things that happened with that man.
I lived in NM at the time and it was a sanctuary state.
Trump also perilously close to violating Posse Committatus, if not violating it's spirit.
Meanwhile, the little people will take it on the chin, as usual under republicans.
We've got a lot of work to do or that fence/wall/whatever will be keeping US in too
9
@Southvalley Fox More surprising that 41 Republican senators would ignore the oath they took to protect the constitution and instead have vowed to protect a dictator. What does it mean when you place your hand on the bible and 'solemnly swear' to uphold the laws of the land? Apparently nothing to a majority of republicans. They have all violated their oath and should be held accountable.
3
Divertion is the name of the game. Meanwhile Oil companies are looking forward to start drilling in the Atlantic. Why POTUS wants a wall? because it wouldn't be removed as easily as he got rid of everything Obama approved. Besides, he is a builder and should pass to history as the Builder President. The one that brought his business acumen and expertise to Government and build a wall,not any wall, "The Wall" that will be remembered in the years ahead as something resembling the Chinese wall. If he can build that Wall, there is nothing the Trump brand couldn't build. It is a win-win.
2
It appears that a large number of Republican Senators put their own prospects for re-election ahead of their oath to the Constitution of the United States. I sincerely hope that the voters in those states disappoint those Senators in their re-election bids, since they are so clearly negligent in the performance of their duties to uphold the Constitution of the United States. There -is- no "National Emergency" - Trump himself admitted that. No more pretending that Republicans care about real conservative issues, the very first one of which is respect for the Constitution of the United States. I don't think anyone has been fooled into believing that for a while now, but this makes it clear that 41 of them care more about themselves, and their political careers, than they do about their oath to the Constitution. Shame!
15
What amazes me is that anyone takes Trump seriously on this issue, considering his lifelong hiring of illegal immigrants to work for him, which continues to this day.
14
It’s clear that both parties are alarmed over the POTUS attempting to be some kind of dictator / supreme leader who overrides the checks and balance of power with his Mr Magoo Giuliani and his appointed attorney general telling him it’s all Constitutionally ok to veto anytime he wants which means when he doesn’t get his way. Both parties are ready to unite when the Mueller report is so undeniably condemning based upon facts - evidence.
3
I agree with you. Except that I do not think you are being fair to the real Mr. Magoo.
3
Unfortunately we need a very comprehensive way to handle the border. I’d start With International Park Idea at Big Bend - great idea!!
We do need more border security but also a way to deal with mess we created in Guatemala & Honduras - the source. Probably start with Education for women plus easy access to contraceptives & Birth control - too many kids!! I am sure the Catholic Church would be against birth control but good to move on from this dogma! Trying to really control gangs corruption etc in those countries would help too.
Asylum seekers should be discouraged but empathy is good too. Unfortunately with our current President & Senate nothing really rational will happen.
So much is riding on hopefully a clean out in 2020 - so sad where we are now.
3
Little Marco Rubio has more internal strength than Lying Ted Cruz. Sad for Texas. Beat out by Florida. What is the American people going to do with the Senators who voted for Trump.
2
Mitt Romney shows the form that got him defeated in the 2012 presidential election.
3
Shoulda, woulda, coulda. There are so many things our Senators and Congress people should have done or could have done differently, but would they? If our system of government hadn’t deteriorated into a fundraising pyramid scheme that keeps the worst of them in power; if our constitution wasn’t filled with so many generalizations that even a ten-year old could get around them, then maybe things might be different. As it is, all these characters seem to care about is getting rich off the stupidity of their constituents who continuously believe in fairytales. Our biggest problem is not immigrants coming across the border, it’s us. The original immigrants.
5
Graham and Cruz like to make believe they support the Constitution, but when they vote, we learn the truth.
17
Cruz was never a man of principal, but I really do want to know what Trump has on Graham.
3
@Dan Indeed. I, too, have noticed a decided change in Lyndsy's attitude of late.
I’m glad he wasn’t President when my great grandparents were coming through Ellis Island.
10
So when President who is a Democrat declares an emergency over climate change, I expect it to be voted down, correct?
2
I'm glad congress developed some backbone and wont let him steal their power of the purse.
The Republicans in the senate were willing to let him usurp their power until the democrats got into the house. Thats a bad sign.
Trump can't actually use Twitter to veto anything.
Could it be that he meant "BETO!"?
I hear he's a big fan.
10
Republican House and Senate Members are like children playing with matches when they give their President the authority to declare the border situation with Mexico a national emergency. Everyone knows that this is not a National Emergency. The real danger is its precedent; something that Trump will use for virtually anything he otherwise cannot achieve through Congressional approval. If Congressional Republicans fail to stand up to Trump on this border issue, they have opened a Pandora's Box of Trump edicts. So much for Congress.
3
That is exactly the conclusion Mike Lee came to according to this article.
Thank goodness he voted to support this resolution.
1
Trump relishes this opposition to his emergency declaration.
He will VETO and be a hero to his ardent supporters.
This is his game plan and he will use it for his reelection.
"I am the only one who can fix it."
Who can forget that mantra?!
The only way to fix this mess is for the American people to rise up and vote Donald Trump out in 2020.
21
What this country needs is more patriotic Republican senators to overrule the Veto threatened by the con man occupying our White House. I wonder what kind of barking he will do on his Twitter feed if this happens.
26
We also need more patriots in the House to override this veto.
2
The point is, that one more Republican Senator crosses over and the Senate vote overrides a Presidential veto.
12
Anybody know if all 12 republicans are not up for reelection in 2020? If all of them are this issue will be a distant memory for voters in 2022 or 2024. Republican senators know that.
3
I have to say that I’m quite proud of Republican Senator Mitt Romney in voting against Trump having the level of super/extra-legal powers and dangers that a broad Emergency Act could easily lead to in our country — and which such Emergency Powers have led to elsewhere in the mid-20th century.
I engaged Mitt in a discussion about the dangers of a democracy or democratic/representative Republic sliding toward a state of disguised Empire during his 2012 campaign at Geno’s Clam Shack on Portsmouth NH. — and his stand on this Senate vote, half a decade later, in assuring that ‘guard rails’ against any possibility of mis-used Emergency Power temping anyone in the Oval Office looking toward or founding imperialist powers depends on the prudence of any and all patriotic and prudent leaders of either party counciling Constitutional caution, as Mitt certainly did today.
11
There is definitely emergency in America said to be the richest country in the world. The President needs urgent action and simply not veto on border wall issue.
1. Expensive college education. An undergraduate begins the life with a huge loan even before his or her career has started.
2. Expensive health care leaves middle class in all sorts of problems.
3. Blunt refusal regarding climate change is making people’s lives miserable.
4. Lack of affordable housing driving people like crazy.
5. Lack of strict gun laws in America not only creates insecurity within the country especially in the minds of children and their parents but is putting a big question mark in the rest of the world about its state of affairs in this regard.
6. Huge employment generation is promised by giving big tax cuts to the wealthy but doesn’t seem to work that way.
21
This precedes their unification on bombshells of illegality within the Mueller report. No coincidence they ask for that now. When that hits those trying to keep jobs may obstruct further but Trump may be in insurmountable trouble.
5
Thom Tillis was beginning to seem like a pragmatist and not just a Republican. Well, he just lost my vote. I wrote to him twice about this vote and thought he was going to do the right thing. Bye, Thom!
12
If the previous administrations, going back to Reagan, had done their jobs, instead of kicking the illegal immigration can down the road by just granting amnesty or catching and releasing, this would not be Trump's problem to solve. He's the only president in years who's even attempted to make an inroad in this problem. And his thanks for that is constant obstruction by politicians a great many Americans now see through -- disingenuous RINOs and Dems who would prefer a new dependent underclass to profit by.
This very week the Times ran an article on "The Crisis at the Border." Let the President call it that and he's a grasping, power-mad racist. We'll see what the country has to say about that in 2020.
4
@Margo Channing....Illegal immigration into the U.S. is at a 40 year low. If there is a crisis at the border it is the huge backlog (over 750,000) of people waiting for their request of asylum to be acted on. To deal with this issue we need to reform how our asylum policy is handled and hire more immigration judges so this can be dealt with in an expeditious manner. "Building a Wall" does not address this problem in anyway and in fact "Build the Wall" is a chant heard at Trump rallies and is a wink and a nod to racism.
2
"Senate Rejects Trump’s Border Emergency Declaration, Setting Up First Veto"
Mitch McConnell, says he is personally against Trump's declaration of an emergency for a border wall, and Trump's attempt to usurp the power and responsibility of Congress, going so far as to try to persuade Trump not to do it. Nonetheless, he votes FOR Trump's fake and phony wall, and his obvious dictatorial power-grab. THAT, makes McConnell the very definition of a hypocrite, and a traitor to his sworn oath to protect the U.S. Constitution. Period.
35
How do we know the president wasn’t trying to tweet “Beto!” ?
29
THe only reason it even came up for vote is because it is required, once the House passes such a measure. If it were up to McConnell he wouldn’t even table it in the Senate.
12
There is a comment below about not one POTUS supporter or a border security supporter.
Well, you just found one.
I wholeheartedly support POTUS - not whether the wall is necessary - but that he followed the process as laid out by the constitution.
He first made a request urging Congress to treat Southern border issue as an emergency. His secretaries and administration testified under oath providing necessary information.
Congress still refused. It resulted in a government shutdown.
With nothing happening, over objections of Madame Speaker - Congress passed an authorization but not sufficient to what POTUS thought was needed.
So, he declared an emergency under the law - 59th time it has been declared.
Congress then - under the same law - just passed these two resolutions. And under the law - it goes for his signature.
The constitution allows him to veto.
And he apparently will veto.
Congress can override it - but seems unlikely given the recent votes.
A constitutional process followed.
End of discussion.
Time to move on.
7
@ Neil, Agreed, move on. But without the funding for the wall, which will be held up indefinately by lawsuits and Senate re-votes.
12
My bet is that if there is a veto (Trump should not test the waters to avoid embarrassment) the Senate will overthrow it in the test of power.
5
So far so good, but the majority of GOP senators will support Trump’s veto. They are scared witless by the Trumpuglican base. Too many GOP politicians will choose self-interest and political power over any concern for the nation’s welfare or democratic values, institutions and norms.
In recognition of the existential threat to their political selves and to their party, ever so many current GOP politicians and their enablers will continue to employ the demagogue's favored tactics on a daily basis: gross oversimplification, fear mongering, scapegoating, emotional appeals, accusations that opponents are disloyal or weak, attacks on the news media, obstructive refusals of all compromise--and, yes, bald faced lies.
Among the GOP's anti-democratic and demagogic strategies are: gerrymandering, voter suppression, appeals to divisive "social/moral" issues, identification with a shallow militaristic "patriotism" and a narrow "Christian" fundamentalism, and the branding of socially beneficial programs as instances of unquestionably evil "socialism."
Too many GOP politicians will choose self-interest and political power over any concern for the nation’s welfare or democratic values, institutions and norms.
Trump must be thumped in 2020, if not within the next several months.
8
This is a Trump-manufactured crisis; illegal crossings on our southern border is the LOWEST it has been in a decade; most of the illegals come into this country through legal ports of entry (e.g., airports), then overstay their tourist visas. Building a wall will not solve that problem. I'm all for border security and for immigration reform--it should have been done ages ago. Reagan granted amnesty to illegals here in 1986, and that same year was the last time there was any update to our immigration laws. Thirty-three years ago.
If this was such a crisis, why didn't Trump and GOP, when they had strong, clear majorities in the House and Senate, and owned the White House and Supreme Court, do something about it during Trump's first two years in office? They could have rammed any kind of immigration and border security legislation through and not have had to court Democrats. They could have given Trump all the money he wanted for his campaign promise ("Build the Wall and Mexico Will Pay for It" was supposed to be nothing more than a mnemonic so Trump would remember to talk about border security at his rallies). And now that Democrats control the House, suddenly there's a massive, serious, dangerous crisis at the southern border?
I'm all for border security, but not for government waste, fraud, and abuse that funneling taxpayer dollars into a wall would be. The wall, at this point, is what Trump uses to gin up his base, to stoke fear and garner cheers.
13
Apparently a tax cut for billionaires and corporations was a bigger priority.
Marybeth, this is not about immigration, illegal or otherwise. Nor is it about invigorating his ignorant base. It is about preserving the Constitution and its division of powers among the three legs of government. In this case, the pursestrings are a Congressional power not to be usurped by a President without respect for our republic and rule of law.
2
First the House votes 420-0 in favor of releasing the Trump-killer report, and now there's this vote that tried (((But Fails))) to destroy everything that Trump has been working for!
So typical, somebody comes around and wants to make america great again and everybody is against him. This happens all the time! Why can't people just cut it out, and let him fix it all.
Every time someone want to fix something, there's always the naysayers. It would be so easy for him if people would actually want to help instead of hinder. He'd probably be done by now -- for sure he wouldn't be slumming it in the White House slogging away at the worst job in the world any longer than necessary. Trump would not be gearing up for a second term if it weren't for all the problem people getting in the way.
You think he wants to drag this out for 8 years when he could have been done in two? Like every project he does, he wants to get it done and move on! What a waste of his time and talents. You know, the harder it is to make america great again, the more work he actually has to do to fix the country, because it's the obstructionists who are half the problem of what's wrong with america!
1
Only he can fix it. I hope that this was satire.
5
@Chris....Trump has no idea how to make America Great again and in fact he has accomplished a great deal in the opposite direction. And frankly anyone who supports him is either unfamiliar with facts or enthralled by a con man.
3
@Chris
NO. The more he breaks the system of check and balances, the closer we come to dictatorship.
AND the more the democrats have to fix.
He's already bypassed congress ruling via executive order.
The man doesn't know what he's doing or worse, he does.
I guess you like criminals
1
If I am not mistaken, it sounds like Beto wants to build the wall a bit higher that is if we are still alive in 12 years.
It is quite clear that 45, and his sycophant's needs to be defeated, actually crushed soundly in 2020. Today i read he wants to take all the money from the paralysis resource center, defund it (Huffington Post)to use for his wall. The only wall he should see is the inside of a super max.
13
I seriously think that the WH was lobbying hard using intimidation and threats to the Senators. They are fearful of him. Unprecedented.
5
Wondering which of Trump’s Senate supporters are up for re-election.
2
Once again the Democrats vote unanimously. Yet to read about that party in the MSM you would think they were the equivalent of a car without brakes or a steering wheel.
1
You must have missed the last two years.
1
One can only hope that just one more Republican senator will grow (or locate their) spine when the veto comes in.
Those who decry the Yes vote as being "against border security" are delusional, for several reasons.
(1) The constitutional issue, namely that only a true emergency allows the President to override Congress' power of the purse, and Trump himself said he "didn't need" to declare an emergency, but he just "wanted to do it quicker." That is prima facie evidence for the absence of an emergency.
(2) Overall border crossings remain below historical highs (when there was no declared emergency); what has changed is the composition of those wishing to enter the U.S. Yes, it imposes greater strain, but (a) we've known about it for over a year before someone decided it was suddenly an "emergency," and (b) increasing the number of immigration court judges would alleviate the backlog and humanitarian distress more quickly and less expensively than building thousands of miles of wall.
(3) Opponents of the emergency declaration are not "opposed to border security." Border surveillance and response technologies exist that would be more effective and much less costly than a wall (or even a fence with slats).
9
FYI it takes 67 votes to override veto, not 60. I think you are confusing this with the filibuster, which takes 69 to override.
2
@Peter Czipott
Seems your thesis hangs on "true emergency". Been to the backcountry in San Diego County recently? Been to TJ recently? Talked to residents of TJ recently about all the Central Americans in their midst? If you haven't, then you're missing more than anecdotal data--there is a "true emergency" to the nation and the public weal. Worse, Gavin hasn't a clue about what's coming down the road for his cultural Marxist fiscal fantasies.
1
Let’s leave Groucho out of it.
Where was the outrage when President Obama announced he had a pen and a phone? Be consistent. This is Trump’s signature promise Trump. He is entitled to pursue all lawful means to fulfill it, including via veto. If it is still beyond his powers, the courts will decide - but this is what the people electing him wanted. It is not any sort of constitutional crisis.
9
The people also elected Congressmen.
9
The people who wanted him elected were never in the majority, so let's stop claiming that the wall is the people's will.
18
@SAL There’s no precedent for this kind of abuse of the separation of powers. He should probably be impeached and removed for it.
12
Now I have greater hope, if the Mueller report will reveal serious crimes committed by trump I am sure more than (today) 12 republican senators will be willing to vote in favor of impeachment.
9
The Border Patrol Officers who have to protect our country all say that border security barriers are a high priority in certain high ingress areas of the southern border. I believe the police officers! Common sense says that if approximately 450,000 undocumented trespassers are caught in a given year, then 2-3 times that number must get past the Patrol Officers! What types of diseases are some carrying into our country? How many have criminal records? How many are illiterate? Speak no English? These are serious issues that our politicians refuse to consider, or care about. Why?
6
How many police officers support anti open carry laws? Most.
11
@Moe
I am sorry for the fear you experience. It is a very uncomfortable feeling,
That said, please reach out beyond the information barriers that surround you. I assume you live in a part of the country that is bombarded by Sinclair broadcasting and Fox News, with a helping of Rush Limbaugh for good measure. Unfortunately, that is like living in the former Soviet Union where real, true information was banned - as it probably is now. Things are not as they are reported to be by the likes of Hannity and Carlson and Pirro. They are paid to keep you and your neighbors afraid and in the dark.
Reach out. Read the Guardian, a British news source, or the BBC or CBC if you don't trust the NYT or WaPo, but find other sources. "You will know the truth and the truth will set you free."
14
Fact: An "emergency", by definition, cannot be solved by a multiyear project.
I am confident that most voters will remember this fact in 2020.
10
@FredInOhio Gotta admire your confidence--just wish I could share it. But then again, you say "most." Since most people didn't vote for trump the first time around, I doubt they will the second time around, either. But it's all about where you live--California or Montana, New York or Wyoming . . . .
1
More wall will not change crime (drugs come in through the gates, or by air or by water) nor immigrant families seeking asylum (they come through the gates) not illegal immigrants (they come in through the gates then overstay their visas). This issue is only about "winning" but not about actually helping America.
8
You may be right but Democrats have not announced any proposals that deal with the problems you mentioned. I have asked local Democrats and they sidestep the issues.
5
Pelosi and others have spoken at length about the need for more payrolls and technology that would be more effective and less costly. The wall is not a solution. It’s just a very costly symbol.
10
@Richard Winchester
Then look at proposals by Pelosi for funding. There are several having to do with increased border patrol, increased immigration courts, use of smart technology to survey the border and barriers where they are effective, Trump is asking you to put away your smartphone (technology) and go back to your landline (wall). Would you actually do that?
9
Why 41 senators would transfer their Constitutional fiduciary responsibility to a five-time bankrupt best known for cheating on taxes, spouses, and subcontractors, is completely beyond understanding.
31
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe that it is currently illegal to hire undocumented workers in this country ? If so, enforce those laws and you don't need a $6B wall. No jobs = no reason to come here.
15
This is what I have been saying all along and it seems like none of these politicians will even consider this idea...
3
@Preethi Chaparala
The GOP won't consider the idea because most employers/business owners/farmers who routinely flout the hiring laws are republicans.
Trump is more concerned with personal loyalty than he is with the Constitution or border security. Apparently most Republicans feel the same way. We need 8 more Republicans to renounce treason.
15
If we want to consider ourselves as a sovereign nation, we must secure our borders. Right now children in Arizona are being sold tablets from Mexico with fentynal coated on them, many have died as it only takes one such tablet to kill. We have diseases being reintroduced into our society by illegal migrants who have had no screening; measles, TB to name 2, were rare if not totally unheard of but are now a threat. We must know who is entering our country and that they can support themselves, want to become Americans and all that entails.
5
In 2017, the vaccination rate in Mexico and Honduras was around 97 percent. In the U.S., it was only 92 percent. The false narrative about immigrants and diseases has been debunked many times over, but conservatives just can't let it go.
9
Fentanyl arrives through the mail, mostly from China.
4
@SupportAZ
You know this how? Did the state health department issue a warning to that effect or did a talking head on cable tell you? If the latter, please check with your state health department.
As for the measles, that outbreak is the result of U.S. parents refusing to immunize their children because they foolishly believe a hoax. The sad irony is that eventually some of those children will die from measles. Their parents will be left with terrible feelings of guilt from exposing their children to a potentially deadly disease because they believed a charlatan.
Don't be like the parents who believe a hoax. What you have heard about the refugees is just another hoax.
1
"Three Republican senators — Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Ben Sasse of Nebraska and Ted Cruz of Texas — interrupted Mr. Trump’s dinner with his wife, Melania, at the White House Wednesday night to share their concerns about the constitutional precedent that Mr. Trump had established . . . "
Wow. The survival of our democratic republic overrides an evening dinner. Now, that's news. Thanks you three Senators. Very brave and patriotic.
2
Oh please. Yet another picture of the preening Susan Collins? The fact that she can show her face in public after her unconscionable (and incoherent) defense of Kavanaugh speaks volumes to her bottomless vanity.
43
So now there will be a veto. And how many Republicans will grow a spine and overturn the veto?
Crickets? Responsibility?
8
Every generation in our country seems to entertain at least one tyrant, for a little while . We can now be certain that the Autocrat in Chief for our time is none other than Donald Trump , who will very likely go down in history as our greatest "Criminal President" and perhaps the greatest embarrassment the United States has ever sustained .
27
Senator Moran wrote: "...expanding the powers of the presidency beyond its constitutional limits is something I cannot support."
That apparently isn't a concern for the 39 Republicans who can't use the restroom without asking Trump's permission.
20
If a border wall is useless why not dismantle the existing 700 miles of fence?
“But some 700 miles of border fencing had already been completed along the country's nearly 2,000-mile border with Mexico, much of it during Barack Obama's presidency, as part of the Secure Fence Act of 2006, which was signed by George W. Bush.”
6
@ god
The Democrats are not against increasing border security, they are against spending billions of dollars on a border security wall that would be significantly less effective than: increasing the number of border patrol agents, and giving these agents more sophisticated tools to surveil the border for illegal border crossings.
Democrats do support border walls in densely populated areas and in areas where most illegal border crossing occur.
1
President Pathological rebuffed by the House and Senate, including congressional Republicans, on his "emergency" fraud. This is an emergency! For him.
6
My guess is pretty much all of The 41 Republican Senators who supported Trump won their way into office touting phony conservative platforms, but then abandoned the Constitution and their oaths of office to support Trump. They couldn't abandon their principles because their votes prove they are without principles. Frankly, they are a disgrace.
15
Sorry Mr. Trump, Veto can't help you as he passed of a heart attack back in '69. You'll just have to wing it, I guess.
2
@Dan Holton Don Don's goon squad? That Veto?
@Thomas Payne. a la Vito Genovese back when Trump was evading the draft and getting deep into concrete business
Amen to what Robert B says. Republicans are abdicating their oath to uphold the Constitution. They are a disgrace to America and every bit as much "a clear and present danger" to America and the values that keep America great. guess that is what a "conservative " is all about these days.
7
Empires and faux-Emperors, when they start collapsing, go non-linear beyond the inflection point.
Fortunately, for ‘we the American people’ and our world, faux-Emperor and ‘apprentice president’ Trumpius will collapse like a cheap suitcase, a house of cards, and a trough of lies.
3
Will the wall keep the refugees out - or was it designed to trap us in?
7
It will force visitors to the US to use established border crossings. Nothing wrong with that.
I almost prefer that neither the House nor the Senate could produce a veto-proof majority. Had that been the case, the GOP would have been able to put this stupid, ill-advised declaration behind them. Now, it remains, slowly moving through the federal court system, headed for a likely defeat. Now they not only do not get the Wall funding, but they also have the unpopular issue slung around their necks, like an albatross.
I did have more hope for some of the GOP senators who sided with the Dear Leader, Ben Sasse among them. He and I have little in common politically, but I have always seen him as a reasonable guy, very good writer, sound thinker. Now, when he had a chance to stand against Trump's clear over reach, he picked the wrong direction.
Senators Cruz and especially McConnell, another two I had had some patience with, seeing both as willing to defend the Senate as institution at least, failed miserably as well. Just a craven political calculus.
7
@Pau
McConnell has no respect for the senate. He cares only for power and money it brings with it. He tossed the Constitution under the bus when he refused to even meet with Merrick Garland.
1
Count me as one of the rare pro-emergency at the border. The NYT can crusade against Trump all it wants; when record-breaking numbers of people with small children are attempting to get here whether illegally, or by asylum, it's an emergency. It calls for a host of approaches, though, but nobody in their right mind can think it is not a crisis. And if we are all really honest, we know why people began bringing children with them in 2017-18, because of the way the immigration laws and court decisions are. We need immigration reform, and we need to be honest, we don't need to create a system that rewards people for bringing young and vulnerable children with them as passports. We first need to adopt the e-verify law across the land, with tough penalties for employers who violate it, and the same for anyone who buys bogus identification. Period.
6
@gmt(Tampa),
Well you must be just livid that Trump, Don Jr. and Eric hired all those illegal at all their properties.
They could have elected to use eVerify but it wasn't to their financial benefit to use the very system that Trump was promulgating, and not to mention, criticizing companies who weren't using eVerify.
Don't you find that to be the height of hypocrisy?
14
I’d ask you if these tough penalties apply to Trump Enterprises, but I would prefer to note that a) it’s not an emergency, just a problem,and b) had my meds, thanks.
Real sorry you’re in tears about the fact that for all our screwups and mistakes, poor and desperate people still look to the United States of America with hope. I mean, I kinda thought that that was what we were here for, but your results may differ.
6
@Robert Well Robert, you live "out west." Come to Florida. No, I think everyone shares responsibility for their actions, including the TRumps who need to face the music, but I don't let everyone off the hook and think it's wrong to treat the immigrants as though they are feeble-minded and don't know what they are doing. So many of them are able to pull together thousands of dollars, ten thousand or upward, to get smuggled. With those kind of resources they can muster, why not just hire an immigration lawyer?
The American people represented by the vast majority of the House and Senate have spoken quite clearly through their votes: we do not tolerate despots in Executive branch re-writing our Constitution and destroying our Republic. An executive veto is expected from a president who do not care about Americans and who lies constantly. Border security is important, but it pales compared to the 40,000 gun-related death in the US in one year! The political spin on the threat and emergency at the southern border framed as crime and violence is despicable in the context how many die in the US each year from gunshot wounds. The enemy is really from within.
8
Indeed we should not be congratulating the 12 Republicans who voted for this as brave... we should be questioning the sanity of the 40 who have in essence voted for abdicating the power of their branch of government...
11
It was a stunning - and long-overdue - rebuke of President Trump.
Bipartisan majorities in both the House and Senate voted to block his national emergency declaration.
This is what democracy looks like! This is Congress finally waking up and doing its job, putting a check on Trump. This is how it’s supposed to work.
Once again showcasing his contempt for the Constitution, Trump promises to veto the bill and move forward with his unconstitutional plan to shift dedicated money from the military to build his wall.
The wall’s entire premise is fake - it's a flat-out lie. There is no emergency. The American people know it, Congress knows it, and, frankly, Trump knows it, too - he just can't admit it because he's backed himself into a corner.
7
Glad to see bipartisanship in the Senate. Now enact an immigration policy that can move this country beyond Trumpism.
3
The only reason 12 Republicans voted "yes" was they did not want a precedent set that could come back to haunt them unlike the 47 feckless Democrats who oppose border security and will do their utmost and anything just to oppose the president. The Democrats are for open borders which certainly threatens our national security. That stance will come back to haunt them in 2020.
1
No Democrat has ever said that they are for Open Borders. Less Fox, more intellectual curiosity.
2
@MCH the Democrats are honoring their oath to protect the constitution, unlike 41 GOP senators who chose to be loyal to a dictator, and not the constitution that they swore to protect.
59–41:
May this be practice for the day when 8 more Republican senators put their country first—
And senators from both parties travel to the White House to inform Trump that the Senate has the votes to remove him from office.
8
So much for "principled Republican" Ben Sasse. What nonsense that was. He's scared of a primary in 2020 and completely caved on the power of the purse, the most fundamental role of Congress.
11
"When Mr. Paul, a libertarian...," says the article.
Sure he is. And I'm a philosopher because I quoted Socrates once.
6
I will applaud the GOP when they come together to override the Veto.
7
I can't wait until we have a Democrat president. Climate change? Fix it! National Emergency! Rich not paying their fair share? Fix it! Raise their income tax to 50%. National Emergency! I could go on, but any sensible person would already know and understand my point.
5
Toomey's vote was strictly political but will to be enough to save him next election.
2
Slowly but surely , Republicans are beginning to realize loyalty to a this president is far more dangerous than enduring his petty politics of revenge . Thank you to those Senators that realized that Trump is walking the fine line of complete control of country ala tyrannical despot . He must not and cannot have it all if America is to remain a Democracy .
3
I never dreamed this country would be one step away from a dictatorship. Without this bill to stop Trump from using Emergency powers to override Congress power of the purse, he would have.
Granted he will veto this bill but will now have to deal with the courts who are not likely to approve of his blatant ignorance of the safeguards that maintain our democracy.
America is being put to the test and our adversaries can smell our weakness in presidential leadership. We will be paying a price yet unclear for many years to come due to the autocratic tendencies that Trump has encouraged.
4
Fine. Bring on President O'Rourke and his national emergency declarations on climate change and gun control. I'm ready!
5
First, these Republican Senators do nothing as McConnell denies Supreme Court nominee Merrick Garland a hearing and a vote. Then they vote for tax cuts for millionaires that added $1.5 trillion to the national debt. Then, they do nothing as McConnell and Trump starve government workers for 35 days straight. Now the overwhelming majority of Senate Republicans do nothing as a dangerous and unqualified President usurps the Constitutional power of Congress to appropriate funds. Not that we needed all of this additional evidence of Republican malfeasance, but these out-of-touch Trump lemmings clearly do not care about Constitutional norms or the common man.
Let's turn the page on this dark era of U.S. history and reject all Republicans once and for all, and instead support thoughtful progressives in 2020.
7
Mel Tillis was easier to understand than Thom Tillis.
3
My feeling is that those senators who are sticking by Trump are doing so because they know he has something on them, probably dirty money, and if they turn on him, he will get even.
2
Senators Alexander, Blunt, Lee, Wicker and Mr. Moran -- say what you want about the others but there is no credible accusation that these folks are "rinos." They are life-long staunch Republican conservatives.
It's widely known I oppose the enemy making Wall of Hate but negating that bias, I think it's important that although the three branches are coequal, in instances of real controversy and because the power of the purse is vested in the "House of the People" and not a single person in the White House, this vote is proper for the sake of the Constitution and the good of the nation. It is conducted just as the founders intended as they knew the tyranny of a King. Trump may claim a mandate of support from voters, but that was two years ago and times change as well as the sense of the governed as shown last November. Beyond partisanship, I hope the parties continue to find common ground like today, in the future.
1
Just want to mention that North Carolina Senator Tom Tillis who was the first to come out against Trump's emergency act at the last minute changed his vote. What a profile in courage. North Carolina has really distinguished itself lately with the type of people they have representing the state.
11
As a North Carolinian, I was looking forward to having one of my Republican senators vote with their conscience for once. So much for that, Thom Tillis. I should have known better.
12
The fact that Mr. Cruz, Mr. Sasse, and Mr. Graham frantically debated key aspects of the national emergency declaration with the president and yet still voted against the resolution is very telling. They clearly had serious concerns about how the declaration would reallocate funds, but ultimately decided that expressing loyalty to the president was more important than doing right by their constituents. I hope that voters don't forget the cowardly actions of these men today, and how they chose to represent the best interests of the Republican party instead of the best interests of their respective states.
6
One presumes that the North Carolina conservatives who threatened to "primary" Tillis are part of the same Felonious Election Fraud gang who tried to subvert our democracy down in Bladen County? That would be NCGOP Secretary Robin Hayes and NCGOP Executive Director Dallas Woodhouse. In a nation of Laws that valued its freedom and democracy they would already be in custody awaiting trial.
4
"'I take Congress’s prerogative over appropriations extremely seriously,' said Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky," No you don't, Mitch. You just gave away the farm. If this precedent stands (and I sincerely hope it won't), future presidents will be able to move around and reallocate funds according to whim. Congressional control over appropriations will be a thing of the past.
At least one of the conservatives on SCOTUS should recognize this. If not, then I suppose a Democratic president will soon be able to shift funds from anti-abortion programs to women's health programs. Hope you're happy, Mitch!
4
Two things...
I recently took a road trip to Big Bend National Park. From San Antonio, US90 hugs the border on the way to the park. The sheer vastness demonstrates the futility of erecting a wall. After visiting the park we drove to Presidio before turning north to visit Marfa. The road follows the Rio Grande and, yet again, it's evident that a wall would be ridiculous. We spoke with residents of the area and no one was in favor of building a wall. Rejecting the wall does not equate to being against border security.
We live part of the year in Colorado. If there was any doubt about Senator Gardner's reelection chances, his vote today sealed his fate. He's dead meat.
12
There should be three motions voted in Congress - Is there a crisis on the border? Is the crisis grave enough to declare a national emergency? Is this a Presidential overreach in undermining Congressional Power of Purse?
Congress is preserving its power but failing in its obligation to address the national crisis.
1
Hopefully, enough Republicans will find the courage to overturn the Trump's impending veto. 59-41 is close!
As every reasonably well informed individual very clearly understands, the Trump Vanity Wall would solve no existing problem, except for the artificial one that the Trump created by proposing to build it.
It is increasingly clear that supporters of the Wall ("Mother, did it need to be so high?") don't actually know what constitutes a national emergency, and what constitutes a normal security issue. They also fail to realize that if DJT really wanted to stop the flow, he would re-introduce a new Monroe Doctrine. Rethinking it away from imperialism, a competent President would state that leaving South and Central America at the mercy of drug cartels, insurgents, and dictatorial governments only makes the the northern flow of immigrants worse. If we can extract ourselves from the obnoxious and irrelevant Middle East and from the stale, pointless Korean standoff, then we could quite likely actually help our neighbors to the South stabilize their homes and then significantly curtail the migrant flow. This would create a gargantuan market, and help raise millions out of poverty and despair.
But then, this will never happen because their skin is not the correct color.
2
This outlaw government just keeps rollin' on ignoring the will of the people who still remember how separation of powers used to work. This president speaks only for himself. Congress speaks for the people.
4
Considering the abysmal lack of Republican leadership exhibited within the Senate, twelve defections is encouraging.
Stop framing the discussion as an immigration / wall issue. Because it's not about the wall, it's about the abuse of executive power.
Real leadership has to address the real issue - revise the emergency powers act. It is extremely vague and ill defined. It will be painful, but Congress needs to reclaim what has always been theirs - power of the purse. Good luck.
2
The 12 Republican Senators who voted to approve the resolution blocking the Emergency Declaration should be applauded for voting their conscience, and putting country over party. That's how it should always be.
2
Tillis may have made it easier for others to vote against this bill, but harder for others to vote for him when he runs for re-election. He showed himself more concerned about keeping his seat than betraying his "principles." I doubt that even North Carolina voters are going to think better of him for selling himself out. The lack of integrity on display is truly breath-taking. But the state motto--First in Flight--fits: it means, "first to flee."
2
Two more chances to override a Trump veto in order to preserve our country - to withdraw US support for the Saudi Arabian travesty in Yemen and now, the opportunity to assert that the power of the purse belongs to Congress. Work now to convince the handful (8) of senators required to override Trump's veto of the bill limiting his power to misappropriate funds controlled by Congress, then the vote to override the Yemen bill veto. This is closer than it looks, Congress should do its job.
5
Now can the Congress pass bipartisan resolutions to impeach and convict the president*?
10
Could voter comment cause an Override?
3
The real national emergency is the country's mental health for having to wake to this spineless administration every day. Make Obama President Again.
19
The Senate didn't reject it. Not without a 2/3rds vote to override President Dunning-Kruger's veto. The Senate handed over this emergency wall nonsense on a silver platter.
2
Ben Sasse...what an utterly pointless politician.
12
From Nebraska: Can confirm.
3
Trump's one-word tweet in response to the Senate vote is the most coherent statement ever to emanate from his stubby little fingers. Although the two syllables may confuse his base.
7
A minor setback for America's first dictator.
10
Its kind of nice to see old Susan C. got her moderate licks in, voting for a bill to reign in her wacko President, knowing it would never survive a veto,
With no shame and no conscience, one can keep up appearances for a good long time.
C'mon, Maine. Do the right thing.
10
Jared put your father-in-law down for his afternoon nap. America let's have a round of tequila to celebrate.
3
VETO!
Another one of Trump's famous typos!
I'm sure what he wanted to say was
BETO!
17
Lindsay Graham still cannot locate his spine. Too bad that his friend from Arizona is no longer around to guide him.
19
At least some Republicans have some courage
5
The party of "values" and the Constitution won't vote to uphold powers set forth in the Constitution?
Disgusting display of greed and incompetence. Let everyone remember this moment when the Right decided to bend to the whims of an unhinged and dangerously under-informed leader.
#STILLnotmypresident
8
Could Lindsey Graham possibly be more obsequious . McCain would be so embarrassed for his friend today.
10
The majority of the Republicans are self-serving hypocrites. If Obama had done this they would have been howling with rage over executive over-reach and separation of powers. Trump wants to be a dictator and tries to bully people into doing his will. McConnell and Graham do what he wants because they are just like him--greedy and power hungry. They have turned their backs on the Constitution and deserve to be impeached with Trump. McCain is rolling over in his grave.
6
Trump, McConnell and Graham need to board a slow boat to China (or somewhere out of our earshot)!!
5
Let’s not forget that the whole reason for this is that a certain overstuffed braggart who knows more about everything under the sun than anyone else and who is a terrific negotiator couldn’t bully Mexico into paying for the wall. You just never hear Republicans mention that anymore , do you?
10
Here we go with the typical Republican ploy. I guess they can still fool a lot of people with this game. They make sure they don't have enough votes to defeat Trump's action (or any sensible bill) then they let their pretenders like Senator Collins pretend that they are against something their dictators want so they don't get their moderate constituents too angry. Then, surprise, Trump's wishes will ultimately be granted. Pathetic cowards, all of them.
5
Why is trump looking for wall funding in the US? Congress, the military and us the taxpayers? Why?
Come on trump, you told us Mexico, Mexico, Mexico.
10
I'm surprised the president isn't bellowing that the Senate found no collusion with the Russians.
5
LOL at some in the GOP's idea to limit future emergency declarations but not this one...
3
The only national emergency is sitting in the oval office.
3
You want a wall? Then get Mexico to pay for it like you promised on your presidential campaign, and not the american tax payer.
8
we just lost a crime boss
should Individual 1 be concerned ?
1
This could be the beginning of a moderate Republican challenge against Trump. Will the GOP have the courage to support this idea? If the Democrats continue to go too far to the left in 2020, a moderate Republican could win an election.
1
@Nicholas
Republicans in the senate just had a good chuckle reading your comment.
This is all just political theater. Magically coming in under a veto threshold. So certain of them can appear reasonable back home in states where they might be challenged.
1
And while we are distracted by a fake "emergency" Trump opens our waters for oil drilling:
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/mar/14/offshore-drilling-trump-official-reveals-plan-and-distractions-delight?CMP=share_btn_fb&fbclid=IwAR0y0QflnU4x4UW2UJQowj3XMS53LOyRCeStDLNb9BHZKEmx89YY6sqwDkU
The King of Chaos and Destruction keeps on promoting the destruction of the earths climate sweet-spot on which we all, depend. We are fragile beings and will perish if we don't keep our eyes on saving the earths amazing gift to us all: an environment in which we can exist.
5
59 votes, what a scam, looks like professional wrestling.
4
Typical editorializing by the NYT... 'rebuke of Mr. Trump's effort to sidestep the Constitutional power of the purse...' (note, not President Trump) and '..flagrant violation of the Constitution's separation of powers'.
These MIGHT be arguable stances, if the Congress had not delegated this authority to the Presidency, explicitly, by the National Emergencies Act. Once the emergency is declared (and there is no way to argue that this isn't an emergency; it is if the President says it is, whether anyone else agrees, or not), then under 10 USC Sec. 2909 and 33 USC Section 2293 he can direct/redirect military funds
So the only way to argue that this is Unconstitutional is to revoke or limit the current National Emergencies Act, and/or 10 USC Sec 2909/33 USC Section 2293.
As written, a non-activist (Republican) judge should rule that the emergency and subsequent redirecting of funds are constitutional under the powers the Congress has previously delegated to the President by passing these laws.
3
@Gary
You're conveniently leaving out the part about the never-before-seen scenario of a president asking for funding from Congress, then it being voted on and rejected, and then he just goes around Congress by abusive use of a law. That's where the question of it being constitutional comes in.
1
@gary
You are confusing law with constitutionally. It is unconstitutional for any president to usurp the Congress’s responsibility to control government spending.
There's a God after all.
1
(continued) - hit the summit button by accident !
The republicans from the time of Raegan have continually blared their narrative to white people that their problems are because of black people, brown people, mexicans, muslims, liberals, homosexuals, etc etc ... The truth is that America, under both parties, became tragically complacent during the 70's / 80's when we continued to indulge major industries, especially oil, and did not invest in the future, which would have created a cleaner environment and new jobs.
More recently, the republicans' obsequious behavior since Trump's election is merely a continuation of their behavior during the primaries. Trump insulted McCain, the Syrian couple, bragged about abusing women, and their response? SILENCE. Deadly silence. Go back 8 years to Obama's election; tea party cowards spit on John Lewis, 'Armed and Dangerous' ... blatantly racist posters of Obama ...'You Lie' ... Again, silence. The republicans needed the tea party votes.
Lindsay Graham is more of the same. There will be some voices against Trump's 'national emergency' but the party will again go on record as obsequious.
5
So....the republicans only find a spine, when the Pied Piper of 9,000 Lies tries to take their turf?
Cowards, every one.
2
Trump is a cancer on America.
Trump Supporters should exam his new 2020 budget - they themselves are the target but they're so caught up in their part in this corrupt Reality TV show personality they can't see he's hurting them in favor of himself, his family and his rich buddies...
Democrats would be wise to point out directly to Trump Supporters that this budget targets and hurts working-middle class Trump Supporters and only benefits Corporations and his rich buddies...
5
Man can only bang head against same Wall so many times before inevitable brain damage occurs.
3
Probably a typo. Meant to write, “BETO!”
4
Polls show overwhelming opposition to the wall. The country voted overwhelmingly for the Democrats in the midterms (they won the popular vote even in the Senate election). The House has rejected the emergency declaration. The Senate, including Republicans, have now rejected the emergency declaration.
There is no question about it. Both the people and Congress oppose the wall and the emergency declaration. Even GOP senators who did not vote to reject the declaration privately oppose the wall or spending money on it. What kind of a political moron would still insist on a veto that will just pull his approval down? Trump thinks that he can win by only appealing to the GOP base. That base is only about ~35% of the people. The only reason he won the electoral college in 2016, which he refuses to acknowledge because of his delusions of grandeur, is because he was running against Clinton, a boring dynasty candidate. With 35% base and bullish, erratic behavior he has no chance of winning in 2020. The writing is on the wall.
4
Trump is likely to veto this bill but he may not. If he does, then the 59 votes in the Senate could not override that veto. But if the bill is vetoed, then the Senate may feel obliged to override to preserve the checks by the Congress upon the President's ability to circumvent the authority of the Congress. I think that the House is more likely to let the President have his way. House of Representative people tend not to be as institutionally loyal and are more likely to have members eager to suck up to the Executive, witness Mr. Nunes running errands for the President when he chaired that House committee.
1
Are you sure he didn’t say Beto!!!?? I dunno.
1
Heh-heh. Snicker. Chortle. Bad day, Trumpie. May there be more to come.
4
The cherry on top of a very good news day. Take that President Caligula.
5
Don't just stand there, America!!!
President Trump is experiencing an Emergency.
Send Kelly Anne, and Michael Pence, and Jim Jordin, Ann Coulter and Rush Limbah down to our southern border in overalls with cement in wheel barrows and construction hats.
Time's a wasting!
6
So the Clown's lies about security and crime failed to convince 59 senators. The other 41 are drowning in the kool-aid.
7
Ben Sasse is such a phony.
5
Red herring much?
1
Glad to see McConnell is still gangho about the wall, certainly, if he had ever any doubt, his wife must have dispelled any immediately: "Yes, Mitch, the wall is an urgent pressing National Emergency. I can assure you, because from my department there is no other to be seen anywhere, trust me!"
Btw, could somebody in the Senate -democrat or GOP- just ask where Elaine is hiding the past few days?
Seems McConnell and Chow are out to outdo Trump. They work hard to become known as the couple that destroyed the US!
It would have been a relief to see more GOP senators defect, now, after these past few days, where it became eerily obvious what constitutes a real National Emergency, and what remains a childish PR tantrum.
4
It is genuinely thrilling to think that building a wall along the southern border will put an end to crime in America.
1
As I said before the vote on this should be 100% for. Any Representative or Senator should be voting to support their Constitutional responsibilities. If not, they shouldn't be serving in our representative government as they believe in authoritarian executive power and the abdication of their power and responsibility.
It is not a referendum on the wall but the constitution.
http://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/04/us/politics/trump-national-emergency.html?comments#permid=30898896
4
Trump has a total disregard for Congress and Mitch McConnell is to blame for this. We are now in a Two Branch Government system with the Executive Branch full of corruption.
2
Again, Trump showed his shrewd skills as a negotiator. Bully, bluster, and belittle may work in the short run but are beginning to wear thin even among his own craven party.
2
I guess that means DT has 11 more people to add to his list of enemies - actually 9 since Romney and Rubio are already on it. He'll have to think of nasty nicknames for all of them. Lots of twitter homework to do Mr. President. You better get to work and get your thumbs busy... while Rome burns.
This reeks of democracy. What an odd sensation!
2
A border wall was a small piece of it (https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/presidential-proclamation-declaring-national-emergency-concerning-southern-border-united-states/). I assume that those elected officials will no longer maintain that there is a humanitarian crisis at the border, and “asylum” claims will be treated accordingly.
Incredible ! Possession of a GOP membership and of a spine are not incompatible !
1
The pretense that this "vote", IN ANY WAY, negates the abject cowardice the Republicans have displayed for the last two years is a joke. They're just trying to have it both ways, an APPEARANCE of "standing up to Trump" while not actually having to do it.
Cowards don't deserve "credit" for being hypocrites as well as cowards. We'll see where their spines are when they have to override his veto ... and it's going to be obvious that it's been so long since they've had any use for them, they can't remember where they put them.
2
If I were remotely inclined to countenance the idea of a president’s overly expanded, questionably legitimate attempts to accrue additional power to himself/herself, the last “president” from whom I would tolerate any such effort (even for a reason worth thinking about, vs this idiocy) would be this “elected” but not selected criminal sociopath, unfit by character or intellect for the office he presently holds.
I’m exhausted of reading how our president responds similar to how my toddler would respond when not getting his way.
1
Ben Sasse on Feb 9, 2017 quoted on theblaze.com couldn't have said better:
"We have executive overreach," said Sasse. "Again, not just this administration, but administration over administration because we've had decades of legislative under-reach where the number one priority of most people who serve in the congress is their own incumbency, and their own reelection."
This morning Ben Sasse voted for Trump's National Emergency over the express legislative vote of Congress.
Ref "https://www.theblaze.com/news/2017/02/09/ben-sasse-its-american-to-be-skeptical-of-our-government
"
4
@Eben Apparently there is a new beast afoot the CINO, conservative in name only. Shame on Ben. The brown on his nose is unbecoming a US Senator.
1
President Beto is going to have a field day with his emergency powers on climate change, gun safety, and civil rights!
3
Finally. Some Republicans with backbone to stand up the child-president.
3
If trump vetos this it should be clear he only cares about one thing, himself.
2
Build the Wall - That is why I voted for you.
Get Mexico to pay for it then. You voted for that too.
9
Perfect SNL skit; Donald and Mel eating tex/mex and the southern gent and friends interupt, que it up Lorne.
Afternoon backstage crew seems to have missed this. Once again:
Yep, not much difference between the RNC Politburo and DNC Politburo, same deep-swamp species--open-borders uber alles.
Romney should join forces in attacking Trump with Cortez and Harris and make it a complete cultural Marxist victory.
Certain Sovietized mass-media out New York City can't wait for further ad nauseam attacks on Trump after veto.
1
If Trump vetoes the bill it will be the first time in his life he has done something himself. I am not sure he will, because he never actually does anything real. He always insinuates and then lets his lapdogs do the real act.
Family values, deficits, free trade, the Constitution, ... things Republicans never truly cared about ...
1
Pure (pathetic) political theater! I am not sure which is more damaging to our county, a legislature whose only goal is keeping their jobs or the news media who assists them in that effort by distributing and reinforcing every false narrative they create.
This was no "rebuke" of Trump. In fact this vote will further embolden Trump because he will now get to have his little veto ceremony and show his base how tough his is in standing up to Congress. Meanwhile the Republicans who voted for this measure get to go back to their moderate districts and claim they have principals because they stood up to Trump...on a vote they knew had no chance of actually stopping him.
All in all the Republicans won this fight (again) regardless of what is spun out in the media.
1
>> But Mr. Trump also personally sunk attempts by Republican senators
Sank, not "sunk."
Thanks Trump! When Bernie is sitting in the oval office we will make good use of executive power!
1
I don’t understand why Democrats are fighting against this so hard. Heath care is a national emergency in this country. President Trump just handed them a wonderful prescident for helping millions of Americans.
And with, presumably, fewer uninsured illegal immigrants that will cost less. win win.
"VETO!"
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 14, 2019
"UNCONSTITUTIONAL! "
__ The Judicial Branch, March 14, 2019
2
IMPEACH!
2
This was a proud day for Senate Republicans, who showed they still believe in the Constitution and reject the notion that they are simply lapdogs to a corrupt and authoritarian president.
Well, at least that's true for the 23% of them who voted for it.
5
And so, the childish Trumpian nastiness continues, unabated, despite what the majority of the American people are telling him.
If that kind of behavior isn't the epitome of that of a dictator, then I have a well-built bridge to sell.
To those who unabashedly pulled the voting lever for this self-serving, NY gangster bully, may you reap what you've sown. A male Leona Helmsley where only the little people pay the costs and the taxes for the excesses of President's like Trump.
4
Michael Cohen told the House Oversight Committee a couple of weeks ago that Trump acts like a mob boss. Now I guess we'll get to see that for ourselves when Don-ald ("I never wanted this for you Michael") Corleone exercises his first Vito.
6
Any senator or representative who fails to vote to override the upcoming veto will also fail to uphold his or her oath of office.
The veto should be overridden - more to reinforce the separation of powers than even to stop the wall funding.
If the veto stands, the USA ceases to be a democracy, and trump will get to be the dictator he has always thought the office represents. An unrestrained maniac.
10
Sick. For so many Republican senators the vote was all about getting re-elected and not about the good of the country.
9
The 41 who voted with Trump should be voted out as soon as possible.
9
"Now this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning." - Winston Churchill
1
After writing an Op-Ed for the WaPo saying he would vote to end Trump's unconstitutional power grab, Senator Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), lost his nerve and voted with Trump.
A true profile in cowardice.
10
It will be the republicans who will soon be clamoring for his impeachment, as he drags them down to the bottom.
4
Trump cries “Veto”. We cry “Election”. I can hardly wait to vote this Awful man out of the office he should never have occupied.
9
A sign of personal loyalty? This cretin has been and continues to be a clear and present danger to our country and all other countries and must be removed from office as soon as practical.
Given the votes from the Republican side today, One can only hope that a few are realizing that the president is a liability to their chances at re-election.
Hope springs eternal that this inspires at least some of these folks to reconsider the oath of office they took and what that means.
1
While I'm pleased to see 12 Republicans do the right thing, I'm aghast that so many more are spineless ninnies bowing at the Trump altar, willing to hand over Congress' most powerful tool to a flaming despot. Is being primary-ed a worse fate than fighting for one of the basic tenets of this country? Apparently, yes.
6
We would be better off if we just built a wall around Donald Trump.
6
With 41 Republicans voting no, and 47 Democrats voting yes, the Republicans have hardly acted in a "bi-partisan" fashion.
As always, the former fear being threatened in a primary by an arch-righty supported by Herr Trump in 2020, with a total of 22 of them up for reelection.
1
It's a major failure of our government that we must wait 2 years for an election to correct such an obviously traitorous legislature.
Given the number of senate traitors is 41 and we number 320 million, perhaps a visit from some of us would help.
3
A border wall through a "national emergency" will work both ways. Do we really want to look like East Germany?
Can we leave a little money in the budget for some really great urban graffiti on the wall?
1
I found myself applauding the headline.
1
This is just GOP window dressing knowing DT would veto. The usual practice of double speak with America.
1
Asylum seekers are NOT CRIMINALS. The TRUMP policy of treating asylum seekers, including children, as criminals is the cause of the Trump-made emergency at our souther border. Republican senators and the republican voters they represent are complicit in a real criminal activity that undermines our constitution. Of course, we must deal with the influx of asylum seekers, but that has NOTHING to do with building a wall. The 41 republicans who voted for Trump's position have lost their minds.
7
So called “Asylum Seekers” who crossed into the United States illegally are criminals.
1
So we have Republican and Democratic members of the House rejecting Trump's ongoing lie about this "emergency." A better day for our USA.
3
In the end. Sen. Tillis voted against his own oath to defend the Constitution, as did his fellow North Carolina senator, Richard Burr.
3
Now on to the courts. My sense is that the public isn't really caring about this as much as Trump thinks they should. This could turn into a nasty little problem for the Republican Party.
2
You have to wonder if any GOP Senators are starting to look past Trump at this point. If not, here's a news flash, guys: there may be more ghastly revelations of corrupt/illegal activities in the coming weeks, further shaking his presidency. The other thing to keep in mind is that Trump has many fairweather friends in politics, but even his friends don't fully trust him. So perhaps it's time that the GOP begin to put some light between itself and Trump. Unfortunately, there's no "nice" way to do this.
1
National Emergency Declarations 2020
1. Climate Change: How many of our children are projected to die if nothing is done?
2. Health Care: How many are dying every day if nothing is done?
3. Gun Violence: How many are dying every day if nothing is done?
How will these Republican Senators vote on these real National Emergencies?
3
I find it amazing that Democrats have literally lost their minds over Trump's presidency. They can deny the reality of one of the country's most severe humanitarian crisis we have ever faced anywhere no less on our own border.
Thousands of stranded asylum seekers and their families are huddled in disgusting and unhealthy conditions expecting to be let in. All the left can think about is how hated Trump is and how unqualified when all he's trying to do is solve this fiasco created by years of inaction on the part of congress.
1
Around the turn of the last century, the US built the Ellis Island immigration compound to accommodate the millions of immigrants from Europe hoping to escape starvation and despotism. We welcomed this influx because of their skin color, just as we are now turning away thousands of immigrants, hoping to escape rampant gang violence and despotism, because of their skin color.
Now we have our list of Senate Republicans who don't care any more about the Constitution than it turns out they cared about debt and deficits, or character, or decency, or family values, or abuse of executive power, or any of the rest of it.
Politicians are no strangers to hypocrisy, and a certain amount of hypocrisy is necessary to make representative government work. But these people are as transcendent in their hypocrisy as they are in their fecklessness.
2
Without a single vote from Democrats or Republicans, President Obama declared a state of emergency and bombed Libya. He took out Khadaffi and ISIS filled in. President Trump declares a state of emergency and uses funding to building a border between the United States and Mexico who has the highest murder rate on the planet. It is sad that in 2019 Democrats turn a blind eye to the rape and trafficking that goes on at the border by the cartel funded coyotes. Just a few days ago a 59 year old woman in California was just stabbed to death in her house by an illegal immigrant who was deported twice and had nine do not release orders not kept by local authorities and he was just let go back into the public. Now she is dead.
One chilling old detail buried in this article: Trump torpedoed Senator Lee's (cowardly) proposal to allow Trump's wall emergency but limit future emergency declarations.
Does that mean Trump is planning to do this again when wants something that Congress won't give him?
2
From Maine to Mississippi and out west to Utah, republican senators vote for the greater good instead of ridiculous party politics. A slight glimmer of the very beginnings of a functioning government, maybe, possibly? Now they all, republicans and democrats, need to come up with - and realistically fund - real immigration reform.
1
So this is off to SCOTUS which was the prediction. The law as passed by congress did not place limitations on the president's powers so this will be interesting.
@Jonathan
The president's powers are indeed limited by Congress' unique powers to designate how and where the People spend taxpayers' money.
Unfortunately, there will be no Senate override vote.
Sen. McConnell can say, not unreasonably, that since the Bill originated and was first voted on in the House, the House must hold the first veto override vote.
After the House fails to override, Sen. McConnell can say, again not unreasonably, the point is moot and no further vote is necessary.
Pity, because I would really be interested in seeing the Senate vote when it mattered. Several additional Senators might change their votes. Lee? Cruz? Gardner? Tillis? Others?
One more thing. Am I alone in thinking that while Thom Tillis's vote is evidence he's running for reelection, Cory Gardner's may be evidence he isn't?
1
Maybe. Gardner probably has little chance of re-election anyway. This vote should steal it.
1
The take away for me is 41 Republican Senators voted against upholding our Constitution, and violated their oath of office. They have now shown themselves to be a clear and present danger to this country and its democracy.
This wasn't about border security, this was about a power grab to fulfill a campaign promise. The Republicans could have voted for funding the wall for two years, and they failed to do so. Now all of a sudden Trump has declared building the wall an emergency, which it is not. It is an attempt with 2020 fast approaching, to find a way to shore up his base.
I have no idea what is going to happen next, but I certainly hope some serious bi-partisan discussion on border security is on the table. That is, at least some discussion between Democrats and those Republicans who are loyal to this country and its Constitution.
3
Remember when Congress supported immigration reform spanning from the creation of ICE to the construction of hundreds of miles of actual fencing and other physical barriers along the U.S.-Mexico border… remember when border security and immigration policy was a non-partisan issue and when the past three administrations all declared it an emergency and humanitarian crisis… remember when Congress almost unanimously provided funding for border security. Sadly, sensible border security and immigration reform is now a partisan issue which has senselessly divided our country over something which has been arguably one of the most evident examples of Congress failing to act as it should. There is a massive influx of Mexican and Central American immigrants entering the U.S. illegally. This is all occurring at a time when low skill labor in the U.S. faces a tremendous threat of job displacement due to automation and non-competitive wages. The majority of illegal immigrants entering the U.S. have too few skills and education that will only saturate the low skill labor market forcing wages to stagnate even further. It is irresponsible to believe that allowing these people to enter our country illegally is beneficial for the U.S. or themselves.
2
Remember when Reagan promised us a barrier and strict enforcement as a balance to the amnesty that was put into effect in 1986?
1
I notice there aren’t enough votes to override a veto. So what’s the point.
Meanwhile, the wall is being built...
1
@Greg
No. No it is not unless you believe tRump, who is running a long, repetitive and boring con draped in the flag.
Every immigration legislation since Ronald Reagan has included walls/barriers of some sort. This whole process has been posturing on both sides.
1
It is encouraging that there are almost enough votes to override a veto.
1
Republican Senators will rue the day that they did not vote against this Presidential grasp for power. Every voter should question if their representative in the Senate upheld their oath to the Constitution in this vote.
4
Hope Trump's advisors reminded him that just tweeting the word "VETO" does not actually veto a bill. Reminds me of Michael Scott in the office yelling, "I DECLARE BANKRUPTCY!"
2
@Wesley : I hope they don't remind him.
Please stop saying that this resolution blocks "one of the core promises that animated Mr. Trump’s political rise."
Trump promised he would build a wall that Mexico paid for. Now he is trying to build a wall that the United States taxpayers have to pay for. He is not fulfilling a campaign promise. He is breaking one.
4
".... on one of the core promises that animated Mr. Trump’s political rise, the vow to build a wall between the United States and Mexico". He also vowed Mexico will pay for it. Why is this always left not said; just another lie.
It is also disturbing to witness 41 Republicans who most claim to carry the constitution in their jacket pocket, vote for the destruction of separation of powers. They seem content with supporting an administration that is challenging the very fabric of our Democratic Republic. The Republicans continue to place party above the needs of our country.
4
"Mr. Trump is expected to veto the resolution; two-thirds of both the House and the Senate would have to vote to override the veto." Isn't it 2/3 of *each* chamber would have to vote to override? Please clarify and be consistent.
1
I have been trying for almost two years to identify the antagonist(s) in this Shakespearean drama; aka the Trump presidency. It’s definitely not Trump himself. Trump never tried to pretend to be anything or anyone but Trump. Several Republicans emerged as potential protagonists. Lindsey Graham possibly the most prominent. Maybe even the majority of Republicans in both Houses. But I keep on coming back to the guilible “ less educated”, as Trump once referred to them, electorate that threw the popular vote into the electoral college.
1
Next Trump will declare a National Emergency and make himself President for life. His declaration will be supported by 41 loyal Republican Senators, and there won't be enough votes to override his veto.
1
This emergency will, of course, be litigated before the Supreme Court. The number of Republican senators voting against Trump's emergency declaration may well have an effect on the outcome of the Supreme Court ruling.
1
@Jon Orloff
By then, the wall will be built.
I am not familiar with the underlying statute, but why is this set up as something that a president can veto? It seems to me that if a president invokes his or her emergency powers, and a majority of both houses of Congress vote against that decision, that should be the end of it. Otherwise, a president, whether Trump or anyone else, is free to do whatever they want under the guise of emergency powers and only a veto-proof majority of members of Congress is enough to prevent that.
Right now, Trump invoked emergency authority; Congress "vetoed" that by voting against, and now Trump is going to veto the veto. This does not seem logical, and also seems a fast path to dictatorship.
12
@Jonathan A supreme court decision some time ago so decided that (basically) Congress does not have the power of veto. That is, the act was a ceding of power by Congress to the President via statute, which can only follow the course as prescribed in the Constitution. Thus, the vote by Congress on the usage of the act is. de jure, on a bill per se and must be treated as such: passage of each house, then signature or veto by President.
1
@RLW
True, and the opinion also noted Congress could have passed a bill saying the Emergency will be considered over after 30 days, unless both Houses of Congress vote to continue it.
Current law could easily be amended to that end.
1
@Martin Allison
Thanks!
My question is, how do a couple of accomplished reporters like Cochrane and Thrush write a lengthy article that ultimately deals with a presidential veto and not provide some details on how a veto works. However, I will give props to Daniel and Lee for their "How Every Senator Voted on Ending Trump’s National Emergency " addendum. This a welcome addition to the reports on Congressional votes.
By the way, both the House and the Senate would need a 2/3s majority to overturn Trump's tweeted VETO. That's 67 votes in the Senate which means they are 8 votes short. In the House, 290 votes are needed to get to the 2/3s threshold. In the February 26th vote on this bill, there were 245 yes votes and 182 no votes. 3 Democrats and 2 Republicans did not vote, plus at that time there were 3 unfilled seats. So the chance of getting 45 additional yes votes seems pretty slim. I hope that adding these facts to the Times article is acceptable.
12
The real test for the Republicans who voted against Trump's emergency declaration is not this vote, but the one coming up - after he vetoes this decision. That vote will show just how serious how many Republican senators are about preserving the key power of the legislature - the power of the purse. They were always keen to exercise it under Obama, let's see if those principles were real or just partisan posturing!
16
It took a presidential national emergency for both parties to work together. I was disappointed when Senator Tillis (R) of NC voted against it when he said that he will vote for it. But then again it's nothing new when a politician is more worried about his career and his backers back home.
9
@kunio
Well, a politician SHOULD represent the will of his/her voters, but that should not be confused with the will of the voters from his/her own party, but the voters of his/her state.
Don't be fooled. These 12 senate republicans didn't vote to rebuke Trump. Marco Rubio voted yes and he still supports Trump and the wall. He voted that way because he knows that when the Democrats retake the White House, climate change will be the first national emergency, followed closely by gun control and health care.
12
Wow! A dozen Republicans showed they supported the constitution over a self styled petty dictator. 59 votes? I think the courts are going to have to pay attention to that. At the very least, it shows very rough sledding for the resident of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., and it also shows that there are the makings of getting to a 2/3 vote for conviction if he gets impeached.
7
After the veto, this should go to court. He is overriding the separation of powers dictated by the Constitution, and he has admitted there is no actual emergency.
19
The real emergency is that his manhood has gone missing, and he can't find the witch who stole it. And no wall is firm enough to restore it.
So this means that when the next Democratic president does a similar emergency declaration, Republicans, with few exceptions, won’t say a word, right?
10
Every Democrat, and many Republicans, should look closely at the list of Republicans who voted against rejecting President Trump’s border emergency declaration and find out which of them are running for election or re-election in 2020.
Then, we should contribute generously to the campaign of that person’s primary opponent.
There must be a cost to a politician who ignores the Constitution and shows contempt for the will of the people.
9
Many commenters are remarking upon the Republican Senators who showed such loyalty to Trump ahead of their loyalty to the Constitution. Wake up! They are not displaying loyalty to Trump. They are facing their greatest fear: the fear of not being reelected. US politics is so easy to understand. Once in office, every single action taken by a legislator revolves around keeping that job (or positioning himself for another). They just want to stay in office. That's it. Forget ideology or party platform. Stay in office.
6
41 Republican Senators had no turmoil in opposing the resolution, showing that either they don't understand how the Constitution works, or they simply don't care more than they care about saving their political skins. I would hope that other Senators in both parties will continue to influence those 41 to help override the expected veto by the president. Those 41, including my own Senator Thom Tillis, should come to recognize that they are obsequiously prostrating themselves to someone who would ride our Republic into the ground for his own gain, and who shows no concern for the Constitution or the importance of the balance of power established within it.
5
Trump doesn't care how he wins as long as he wins; he will feel no embarrassment (as some media outlets describe the 12-vote defection) or setback. All knew going into this vote there will be no override of the imminent veto to come. This process is simply a means to an end and those that voted with Trump are blindly complicit in the deterioration of our system of government. It is apparent the problems in this country are becoming much bigger than Trump; he is merely proving to be the catalyst.
4
Never, ever, EVER again should any serious person mention Ben Sasse as a moderate reasonable Republican or a "Never Trumper." On anything that actually mattered Sasse has voted with Trump.
12
Nice to see at least some Republicans care more about the Constitution than "loyalty" to Trump.
1
I will say this again, Trump, as well as the Texas Senators who voted for Trump's National Emergency, and the other 39 Senators who voted for the wall today, have not closed the gaps in the Texas border fences, i.e. Gaps where the gates have yet to be installed. These are wide spaces that people walk thru daily, and should have been secured since the Geo W Bush presidency, as well as, that Trump has had the money to repair these gaps for nearly 2 yrs. But, we have a National Emergency to spend money not appropriated for the wall. Thank you for the Senators who voted to stop this abuse of power.
6
It's unfortunate that the Republicans who voted against Mr. Trump framed their concerns as solely about the power of the purse. Of course this gives them cover. But how demoralizing to know that their no vote can be seen as a yes vote for policy that is wholly in service both to Trump's narcissistic belief that he is right and knows better than anyone else and to his penchant for execrable lies about the Democrats, about immigrants, about crime.
2
How clever of Republican Senator Mike Lee of Utah. Allow this fake emergency declaration to stand, then legislate against future emergency declarations because, who knows, some day a Democrat might become president. He didn't count on Trump wanting to keep the emergency declaration tool in his dictator toolbox for future end runs around Congressional appropriation authority. What a way to run a Constitution.
4
I don't blame anyone for trying to find a better life for themselves.
However, why is the New York Times never concerned about
U.S. Citizens who must compete with Immigrants be they
Documented or Un-Documented for Jobs/Housing/Spaces in Schools, Admittance to Hospitals... ?
Granted the Elites do not want to hire Poor American Citizens
to be their Maids, their Nannies, their Gardners...
But why should any Poor American have to compete for a
Minimum Wage job with Immigrants ?
Yes, Corporations want as many Immigrants who will work
long hours and in dangerous situations for as little pay
as possible. Yes, Democratic Elites see Immigrants as
their ticket to Political Power -
but why is no one concerned about the Poor of America ?
As for the Constitutionality of Trump's Emergency Order
the Pre-Amble states that the Federal Government has as its primary duties:
Domestic Tranquility, a Common Defence and Promotion
of the General Welfare.
The U.S. is being invaded by Immigrants, most of them
Un-Documented, is it not the duty of the Government to
Repel Invaders and is not the duty of the Government to
place the welfare of its Citizens first...
even those who are the Poorest Americans ?
3
@John Brown
I'm deeply concerned about that - but Trump's wall would do nothing. Democrats voted for a ton of extra money for the border patrol, money that will go to actually securing our border in the most effective ways, rather than towards Trump's unnecessary ego wall.
To help ensure American citizens get jobs, eVerify should be mandated, along with massive fines against any company hiring without it. But Trump won't support that.
1
We have an immigration crisis. It's at the border where refugees are in dire straits and where who knows what kind of people and truck loads of drugs are streaming across. It's in the country where millions who have lived and worked here for years are still living in uncertain shadows. It affects millions of young people who came here as children and are now educated adults ready to contribute to society but can't because of an uncertain future. The causes are several but the greatest, the ninnies in Congress who would rather score political points than settle the problem. We need control of our borders, wall or not, and to treat compassionately people who have lived among us for years. The current vote is a sham, hot air, not a solution. With a little good will and common sense a solution can be reached. Unfortunately we have elected representative who lack both.
@Michael Feely
The constitutional problem is not so much a president declaring an emergency--the law doesn't specify what constitutes an emergency, and honest people can differ about whether to give that flexibility to a president.
The enormous constitutional issue regardless of whether there is or is not an emergency is a president using it as a premise to reassign funds that Congress has already appropriated.
My senator Dr. Rand Paul has voted according to his own whims and not representative of the people of Kentucky. National emergency to secure the border and to deal with the issue of illegal migrants some of which are allegedly criminals, drug traffickers and human traffickers. That there is no crisis on the border due to lack of immigration reform and obstruction to enforce laws already on the books is just not true.
Finally there is one president after several before him ready to take the bull by its horn and do whatever it takes to redirect all migrants through appropriate entry points and welcome immigration of any and all legal entrants is revolutionary. If veto is the only option left after exhausting all other legislative options, then president so should just go ahead and secure the border once and for all. It is hard to judge the unknown but it is simple to judge the known. Whatever is happening on the Southern border does not work to the satisfaction of many Americans.
All routes of illegal drug entry that has killed 70,000 Americans and deaths due to criminal entry, the untold misery and exploitation of innocent migrants which have to cross the hostile terrain has to stop once and for all. Trivial technicalities and hair splitting arguments cannot change the situation on the border. Action with the urgency of now is required even though this may be just an experiment. Veto may be the only answer right now to secure the border and so be it.
2
@Girish Kotwal
Perhaps I'd feel more comfortable with what you just wrote if you'd mentioned that most who are here illegally overstay their visas, and most smuggling comes through border crossings. A wall doesn't do anything to address either.
We need much better immigration policy, true. We needed it years ago. But the conservatives voted down George W's plan (which was flawed but at least a step in the right direction). Trump's plan is a bunch of slogans which do nothing to address the actual problem.
1
Got it. The US Constitution is a trivial technicality and subject of a hair-splitting argument. I’ll let Dred Scott know...
1
Call me cynical but my bet is the Republicans asked Tillis to flip his vote specifically to ensure the the vote wasn't veto proof.
Don't let anybody be fooled that the Republicans who voted against the president were voting on principle. They knew their vote was irrelevant.
5
So Tillis changed his vote because Trump promised that he would abuse the separation of power just this one time and after he does it, he will change the wording of the national declaration of emergency act so that the Democrats would never be able to also use it in the same abusive way.
WOW!
5
First time I am proud of Utah senators; they had the will and courage to turn their backs on weasel Trump. Utah was the only state to have both senators voting for the resolution. One hates Trump and the other is a Constitutionalist. Way to go, Utah!
2
Regardless of all of the logical reasons why trump's emergency declaration is both ridiculous and a gross abuse of executive power, it seems that most senate republicans will be fine with the precedent it sets. If this holds up in court, the gloves should come off - Let's see how they feel about a national emergency on climate change or gun violence in the coming years.
1
Senate Republicans find just enough courage to stare down the barrel of a toy gun.
4
@S Jones
They don't have it.
Ben Sasse, who likes to posture as an independent spirit and a devotee of the Constitution, went along with Trump after Trump said no to his affort (with Graham and Cruz) to express his concerns about the Consititution. Why would Trump EVER modify his view on anything because of Sasse's urging after this pathetic performance? And what on earth does that word salad from McConnell purport to mean?
2
So, 23 percent of GOP senators showed signs of having a spine. And the remaining 77 percent prioritized their party's power over the rule of law.
4
Wow, I am never surprised that there is never one pro-Trump or pro-border security comment on this site. The reality is we have a very serious situation on the border with 1,000's coming to the border to seek asylum along with the usual numbers of immigrants coming to seek work. Our current budget for border security does not contemplate this level of activity at our border. And IF the Democrats and the 12 Republican Senators would have done their job in the first place and passed a comprehensive immigration reform bill that included additional border funding and measures to address the recent unprecedented onslaught on our southern border, then Trump's emergency declaration would never have been. These Senators should be ashamed of themselves for not doing their job in the first place. Not slapping each other on the back for a vote against the sitting President attempting to use the National Emergencies Act of 1976 to address an issue that is an AMERICAN issue and meanwhile sitting on their hands. Do your jobs Senators and pass some comprehensive immigration reform that you promised to do.
54
@Delle Trump has spent only 6% of his Border Security budget-now it’s an emergency, No one is saying it’s not an issue but only that it’s not s National
Emergency .
185
@Delle I am a democrat. The wall itself is simply a waste of money and will be overturned by the courts every step of the way. 45 needs to honor the law as these people are applying legally for asylum. The better way to handle it would be to hire more border guards and immigration judges. I'm all for border security, but not for a wall that won't work and will cost millions.
199
@Delle - You don't seem to understand what the National Emergencies Act is. It isn't meant to be used as a way to bypass the legislature in order to secure funding for a pet project---especially when those funds have already been repeatedly denied by Congress.
We all know that Trump is the "sitting" president. The Congresspersons who voted to put a stop to his overreach are also "sitting" officials, and they are empowered to provide a check on the executive.
(And Trump is "sitting" after losing the popular vote by 3 million. The Electoral College doesn't provide a popular mandate, or any direct expression of the peoples' will.)
Many senators on both sides of the aisle "did their jobs"; you just didn't happen to like the outcome.
This "the voters have spoken" argument cuts both ways, and you might consider the recent midterm results to get a sense of where the priorities of voters lie. Rational people do not consider the border situation to be anything approaching a national emergency. 9/11, Pearl Harbor, major earthquakes, Katrina, much of California in flames; these are actual emergencies necessitating a quick, properly funded response.
Also, why point out that it's "an American issue"? As opposed what? A Paraguayan issue?
259
All this over a wall. Nuclear powered bombs was easier to pass through congress. Of all the needless spending this government has done in my life time this is the cheapest and most heated. And it is just a wall. And there is a wall there already. It is an expansion of something already there. This is all so politics.
1
Are you aware that there are huge gaps in the Texas Walls since the Geo W Bush era and that Trump has had the money to repair those gaps for nearly 2 years, but hasn't. If there was a real national emergency these gaps should have been the first repairs made, and yet people walk through them daily. The money has been allocated, but not spent. So, let's take money that has been authorized for use elsewhere causing a constitutional crises, and leave the huge gaps.
1
Before we get too ahead of ourselves in congratulating the Republican senators who so bravely stood up to Trump, let us not lose track of the fact that, if Trump indeed goes ahead and vetoes this decision, their efforts will be about as effective in stopping Trump's abuse of power as an angry comment on a NYT article. Unless they're willing to put their votes where their mouths are and actually support impeachment, this is all empty theatre.
2
The fact that veto-proof number of Republicans did not vote to support the measure means that this is nothing more than a Pyrrhic victory for constitutional limits. Trump will veto the legislation and the quisling Republicans will hypocritically claim "oh, but what were we to do?"
As for litigation to block the order, I don't have great hope for success. The ultra-rightwing block of the Supremes will simply say, Congress had its chance and failed. The only hope is that Chief Justice Roberts respects the Constitution and intent of the Founders to prevent one party and one wannabe tyrant from eroding the separation of powers.
2
What integrity is NOT: Thom Tillis.
What too many politicians have BECOME: Thom Tillis.
How we get to a better place: VOTE for quality people, not for sound bites, fear, and rhetoric!
5
This is a slight improvement - 12 Republicans voting with Democrats - but not enough to override a veto. Clearly, their votes ALWAYS depend on the potential impact on their re-election chances. Never was their self interest and their lack of interest in the country more apparent. I am not sure any of them experience even the smallest tug towards decency and democracy.
9
A veto override by 8 more Republicans who can put the constitution on a higher plane than their fear of Donald Trump will provide the country an excellent preview of what will happen should Trump lose his re-election bid. That reaction in itself might be sufficient cause for the Republican Party to either 1) support impeachment, or 2) make it plain to Trump he will not be the Republican nominee in 2020.
23
@Glen
You need a lot more than that! The House also has to vote with a 2/3 majority to override the veto.
The 'wall' is a scam, a diversion, to deflect attention to what's really going on in Trump regime. See today's 'Guardian', comments from some loyalist in Interior, praising Trump for his diversion tactics; meanwhile, Trump planning to open Atlantic coast for fossil fuel searches. He's a grifter. Beware the shiny object in his right hand. He's picking your pocket with his left.
27
Sasse is on the Senate Select Committee in Intelligence I wonder if Nebraska's Senators will explain how a border wall will stop drugs at the New York and other Ports of Entry. The same applies to immigrants most of whom along with drugs come across the border at such transit points.
Please not a dozen dodges just a simple few sentences. A Wall ‘anywhere’ will stop drugs and people ‘somewhere else’ HOW?
I’ll ask how authoritarians are generally allowed to seize power and Democracies are lost another time. If Benn’s voting against stopping the next emergency does not prevent me.
1
All this whining about Trump from the spoiled sports who didn't get their way. Look, if you can't veto-proof your vote, the rules we're governed by say that the president can overrule you! That applies whether your guy or the other is in the White House. Why should the president concede that power? A lot of us elected him to do just what he did!
Again, in accordance with the checks and balance rules we're governed by, the Supreme Court can scrutinize what the president does. Rock, paper, scissors ! So, stop whining that the rules should be changed when you lose. We either live or die by the constitution.
1
Looks to me more like whining from the Trumpists who can’t cope either with today’s not-close vote, or one more proof of the obvious fact that their boy’s too lazy to do more than bluster on Twitter.
Which raises a bit of a question: why would any grown person vote for that?
8
@pete
Agreed!
However, I prefer to LIVE by the Constitution.
It is pretty clear that what Trump is doing is squarely illegal, since against the Constitution.
And he was duly warned. If he now disregards that warning with his veto, I think the Democrats should pursue the matter all the way to the Supreme Court. If the Supreme Court finds Trump guilty, it can sentence him to pay restitution and Congress then should promptly convert all those golf courses into National Parks and all those hotels into homeless shelters.
Trump may yet do some good to this country.
1
@pete.... We either live or die by the constitution. ....Then maybe you should read it. "Section 7. All Bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives.".... You will note the word ALL. And while the President may declare a State of Emergency, show us where it says the President can raise money and use it at his discretion.
2
Let's all remember the republicans who voted to uphold the "emergency" order. When a democrat is elected president, and declares any emergency, no matter how necessary, these hacks will be outraged, outraged I tell you to bypass congress. "Why, this is unconstitutional"! How dare he (or she)!
15
The first vertebra of a new backbone may have formed.
13
@dAvid W, wow, restart the evolutionary clock. Let’s find out what’s even more confused than a platypus.
That's more than I thought would vote for it. Make them vote again, Nancy!
3
Dear conservatives and Republicans, do you miss the good old time when you were pretending to be against the abuse of executive power by President Obama? Do you miss the good old time when you could tear your shirt apart and proclaim to be the great defenders of the constitution? Do you miss the good old time when a futur Donald Trump supporter, F.H. Buckley, could write a book about the abuse of the Executive Power by the President, "The Once and Future King. The Rise of Crown Government in America"? Do you miss the good old time when Mitch O'Connell (Senate) and Paul Ryan (House of Representative) were the great defender of the legislative branch of the Government? As Mary Hopkin could have sing today Those Where the Days.
18
The truer test of Republicans' spine who joined with Democrats in support of the subject measure will be their willingness to join, by name, in any future litigation seeking to halt this autocratic Fake President from diverting funds from federal departments to build his mendacious monument on the southern border. If they do not do so, this vote means really nothing.
6
The time has come to veto his veto: veto ².
6
Three “wise” men show up at the White House to discuss some limitations on the king. What was actually discussed was the theater that would be occasioned upon the seeming dissent from a portion of the king’s guard.
“It will seem as though we are against you sire, but we all know there are not enough against ye to make an bit off difference.”
“Aye,” said the King. “I will feign anger to toward your requests so that you can be covered by my apparent irrationality. Our enemies will be falsely encouraged by our fake disagreement.”
The four toasted their play. The King slept well again that night.
6
The Senate rejecting Trump's "Border Emergency Declaration" is no triumph. To this federal appellate attorney it is the opposite: it reinforces what great peril our country is in.
In Federalist 51, James Madison extolled checks and balances so as to protect our republic. However, even the Founding Fathers never envisioned legislators as venal as Mitch McConnell and the current GOP. There is no question whatsoever about the illegality of Trump's "Emergency Declaration" yet a mere 12 Republicans did nothing more than uphold their oath of office in opposing Trump, while a staggering 41 Republicans in supporting Trump did nothing less than vote for autocracy and authoritarianism, as well as the destruction of both our tripartite government and the separation of powers.
Every single Senate Republican should have voted against Trump and asserted the authority of the First Branch of government. Congress, not the Executive, has the power of the purse. Congress, not the judiciary, is the primary institution created by the Founding Fathers to exert vigorous oversight of the Executive Branch in order to prevent the rise of an authoritarian depot like those who plagued Europe.
Here, 41 Senate Republicans have done everything to both protect and support Trump in his most blatant and unconstitutional attempt to date to destroy our republic. If this proves anything, it is that Mitch McConnell and Congressional Republicans, not Trump, are the greatest threat to American democracy.
1327
@Robert B Well I am sorry to say these 41 Senate republicans are totally indoctrinated by the Scoflaw-in -chief, and hopefully their constituents will vote them out next election. And to top it off, the day he declared an emergency later in the rose garden presser he said "I didn't have to call it an emergency I just want to get the wall built faster".
83
McConnell, Lindsay Graham and Trump.... the Great Trifecta. There will always be the outrage that some, but not enough, express at these times. When the vote to override is taken, it will fail. Those Republicans more worried about staying in power than preserving the Constitution will fear the Orange wannabeKing and vote against the override. This is mostly a charade.
In the end, Trump will merely declare another “win,” give more speeches like that at CPAC to his anointed few, denouncing the rest of America, and declare the wall “mostly complete.” During the next election, he will denounce those who voted against him... how DARE they!!
The wall will very likely never be completed, as everything he oversees goes over budget and underachieves. But, the base will high-five and keep voting straight-red.
37
@Robert B
I’m sure you felt the same way about DACA.
5
I don't understand the weak fear many Democrats have for the GOP. A bunch of old rich white men who went to private schools and ivy league colleges refuse to understand that their political and personal identities rest on a foundation of dead inherited ideas; and I'm supposed to stare at the ground and be intimidated by senseless self-important mercenary demagogues? I honestly feel full of diabolical laughter. No one studies history. Am I the only one who knows what's coming? No human power can stop progressive ideas at this point. It's far too late for the GOP. And they're squirming and whining like the spoiled children they've always been.
10
@Ernest, so, just declare there's no need for any action because the problem has already been solved?
I'm afraid that approach is a little too Trumpian for me.
1
Diabolical.
I'm sure the Republicans got together and decided which of them could safely vote for the Constitution they swore to uphold and which could vote for their king to keep his wrath from descending upon their heads. I hope all the patriotic voters in the king's men's states will recall next year that they chose monarchy over our constitutional democracy.
9
The fact that Republicans have been shielding Trump and themselves from a veto all this time speaks volumes. It's about time we got our separation of powers back. Passing the resolution to end the fake Trump emergency still matters even if it will be vetoed and the veto will be sustained. This will be decided in the courts, and now there's a clear record of congress declining to endorse this use of funds.
6
The constitution outlines the rule of law that is the backbone of a democratic America, the United States.
Asserting that the rule of law, which in this context states that congress will be the governing body which determines whether money (our money) will be spent.
The White House's attempt to subvert the rule of law deserves rejection.
Why have republicans abdicated their constitutional role to this wannabe, tin pot dictator??
6
Trump si expected to veto this. Now, we will see hove many GOP members actually cross over to override the veto.
F or years, and loudly during the Obama Administration, the GOP caucus has claimed that trey uphold all aspects of the Us Constitution. This, despite their hypocrisy in regards to voting laws; among other things.
If there are not 47 Democrats and 20 Republicans (Senate) and 235 Democrats and 57 Republicans (House), overriding this veto, then the GOP should remain silent when the next Democrat president invoked national emergency power to go around Congress. They, and Trump, opened the Pandora's Box.
If for nothing else, overriding the veto is a vote fro "rule of law". Not doing so, is a vote for autocracy and tyranny.
5
All the senators know that they cannot override president's veto power. But those Republican senators still went ahead and did it because they were thinking about the next reelection. They wanted to please their Hispanic and liberal constituents. In a way, they have to show Americans that they are pro-immigration although the wall is part of the solution to solve legal immigration.
1
I’m fairly sure that there aren’t any sentient Americans that are fooled by transparent Republicans and Trump sycophants.
Trump stated early on in his presidency he would should be president for life. He probably thinks he should be able to hand the office down to junior and clearly thinks he is a dictator. He needs to be reined in.
10
@Tiredashell
Trump doesn't need to be reined in. He needs to be voted out.
2
It is incorrect to refer to the "Republican party". A party has a set of core values outlined in their platform that defines them. The only core value left in the party is supporting Trump. This party structure is more consistent with a cult rather than a political party. Mitch reinforced this view when in urged Republican senators to vote based on the politics, or i.e., kowtowing to Trump rather than their interpretation of the constitution.
6
"In an attempt to limit defections ahead of the vote, Mr. Trump had sought to frame the vote publicly as not only a declaration of support for his border security policies but a sign of personal loyalty."
Trump is trying the same tactic on Repubican senators and representatives he use, without success, on Jim Comey. It's too bad there aren't enough Republicans whose loyalty is to country and constitution instead a personality, and one of questionable morality and patriotism at that, to override his ego-inflating veto. That is all it will be, an ego veto. It has nothing to do with protecting Americans and America.
5
Had the Senate really wanted to send trump a message, one that said, "Mr. president, if you veto we will override" all of them would have voted to reject the emergency proclamation.
Anything less is simply political theater. A few pretend defections by those who have been selected to fall on the GOP sword.
McConnell, also know as the man who is acting as if he is the president, will not bring the item back to the Senate floor.
It's all smoke and mirrors -- a lie.
If it's not a lie, the Senate could easily override a veto.
9
Just think what could be accomplished if just a few brave Republican senators worked in a bipartisan manner with their Democratic counterparts ... by god, that might be one giant step toward reclaiming an independent republican party ...
2
Way to go for the Republicans voting for this. This is a huge overreach of presidential power. No matter what you think about the border wall, this is a scary precedent. Very proud of those who stood for the right thing even when it prevented them from getting what they want.
1
Thank goodness for the 12 Republicans. It's time to take a stand for this country and not just to a party. Trump is trying to circumvent the US Constitution, which is just wrong.
1
We are nothing if the vow to protect and defend the Constitution is allowed to become meaningless. Republicans who support the President over the Constitution are in violation of their sworn oaths.
Where is our honor? Can we not muster at least the appearance of honor?
5
"There is no honor among thieves" -- i.e., trump's toadies in Congress.
It's high time that senators recognized that they took an oath of office to protect the United States Constitution, not His Majesty King Donald.
How soon will selective GOP amnesia set in though?
I am deeply disappointed that Senator Isakson did not support this. If nothing else moved him, I would have thought the probable loss of previously appropriated funding for Georgia military bases would have alarmed him. About one billion of the military funding that Trump is stealing is from military pay and pensions.
Signs of coming times in this. If Trump feels the military budget is his private piggy bank whenever he wants to fund something he can't get through Congress, the CIC is risking national security.
9
Trump tried to minimize the number of Republican senators that would vote for measure with the unsurprising result that MORE Republican senators than anticipated voted for it, proving yet again that Trump can't negotiate his way out of a paper bag.
Slowly but surely Republican legislators, tired of his threats and antics, are drifting away from him.
286
@Ralphie Bottom line to save their own skin. They could care less about him, their main goal is to win reelection and keep their lucrative jobs. Country they could care less. Most have lots of outside interests and it is connected to their political position. Lindsay Graham I don't to ever hear that man or Mitch or as someone outed the Republicans who voted against the bill. It is spitting on the Constitution they took an oath to uphold. They can wiggle, twist and spin all they want. No, what is happening in the same thing I remember in 1974 when they caught on Nixon would take them all down so they turned on him and made like they were the good guys all along. Jim Trautman
16
@Ralphie they need to drift a whole lot faster. They also need to expel mitch
29
@Ralphie
Yet, our senator from North Carolina, Thom Tillis, dutifully ate his full-page objection to the emergency declaration and voted no anyway. I thought for a brief and shining moment that he was going to show some integrity and vote to protect congressional budgetary power, but after reading his statement it never was about that. It was fear of what Democrats will do as presidents. Perhaps he figured out that Democrats actually do believe in our constitution, even when in power. Or perhaps, Trump bullied him and his spine turned to jelly. I think the latter.
36
Senator Pat Toomey of PA, was one of the Republicans who voted against this travesty of an emergency declaration. I usually don't have very nice things to say when I call Senator Toomey's office, but today I called to say thanks.
4
Don’t be fooled by Toomey, and don’t expect a call back. Pat doesn’t speak to constituents.
2
Now we will see whether the Republican party has the will to curtail trump's lust for power and, simultaneously, vote for American taxpayers who does not want billions spent on a testament to trump's narcissism.
Not holding my breath.
4
What makes this so amusing is that Trump accepted the budget without funding for the Big Beautiful Border-wall. He thought he had just made another art deal whereupon after reopening the government he would get the wall funding via his emergency declaration.
LOL
3
Conscience or political interests. Take your pick. What a sorry state of government 'leadership' we have in this Country.
2
Only 12 Republican senators have guts to stand up for our American values, fairness and speak up against the abuse of power by Donald Trump. As once a Gold Star parent said "Mr Trump read the constitution."
Can't wait to see a barrage of profane and threatening tweets from Donald Trump which will be nothing more than barking at the moon.
4
Dear 41 No vote Senators,
Figures don't lie but liars can figure. The math presented by the trump team that over 76,000 individuals were detained at the border this year, which is an 11-year high represents a figure generated by asylum access being choked-off forcing desperate people to seek desperate alternative means. Had the existing systems not been circumvented by the trump administration, what then would those numbers be?
Non-border states will ever see a wall in their horizon, nor will any non-border state citizens have to give up property to eminent domain, or live with an ugly 30 foot wall in their backyard - how convenient.
For you to make a decision for the four border states is analogous to why the UK seeks to exit the European Community. Just as the UK wants its sovereignty, so do the border states.
The four border states do not want a wall. You do not represent those states and your votes should support their preference.
14
I'm glad to see that the resolution of disapproval passed, though deeply disappointed that my own senators, Grassley and Ernst chose to continue to stand with Trump.
The underlying problem here is the way Trump continues to insist on equating BORDER SECURITY with HIS WALL...and nothing else. To him, anything other than the wall he envisions means totally open borders. He cannot see past that to embrace other ways of improving security that would actually be more effective and less costly. He is unable to grasp the concerns that his emergency declaration raises about whether this particular declaration is appropriate or not, and about the way it attempts to bypass the authority of Congress over spending.
It is my belief that the Republicans who voted to uphold the emergency declaration are in fact abdicating their constitutional responsibility. At this point only 12 of 53 Republican senators proved willing to cross Trump. It is expected that he will veto the resolution. Is it too much to hope for that when the time comes, more Republicans in both chambers will see the light...enough to override the veto?
26
@Debra Petersen
My feeling also. I thought there was a chance that Sen. Isakson at least would vote for the resolution since he chairs veteran affairs and has shown support for the military.
Waste of time, especially on something clearly an issue and the left is playing politics, so as to not provide a victory to the right, VS a victory for the country! I would be embarrassed as a representative or senator that this is what I wasted my time on.
1
I sent another message to my senators this morning, asking them to support the resolution. I had no hope that Inhofe would do so, but I really thought that Lankford might self-administer a shot of testosterone and vote to uphold the Constitution. I had dreams that Oklahoma might emulate Florida, Missouri, Tennessee, Kansas, Alaska, and Kentucky and have at least one Republican vote for the resolution. But no, I guess Lankford knows that there are too many low-information voters in the state and that if he doesn't follow Trump, he will be challenged by an even more radical Republican in 2022.
6
@Ockham9 as another Okie from Lankford's former house district I though he was a man of some courage and learning. I am very disappointed and will remember the vote to violate the constitution as a former history professor whenever Lanford runs
I can remember in 1974 when the Republicans had defended Nixon like they do with Trump and then when the tapes and what was on them appeared it was this big turn like they could smell the blood in the water. They did not care that much for Nixon now, but their own political skin and being on the right side an issue. How quickly the sides change. I have found Graham to have become a joke and he should look at himself in the mirror sometime and see what he has become more concerned with political power than anything. Can one imagine if a Democrat had pulled this stunt the Constitution to me is clear the purse belongs to the Congress and lets move on from this nonsense of a wall on the border - Mexico is paying are they not? So Trump sticks in the budget for more money so he can shut the government down again. Yes, he is the head of the party although he was a Democrat till recently so much party. But, he is a man out of control and so this has nothing to do with the party. Here in Canada the PM is never elected the party picks him and they then can pick a new leader at any point. I wonder if now there won't be more running in the Republican primaries not so much for the good of the country they feel, but to save themselves and their own position. One thing about a politicians it always is about them. Jim Trautman
8
The Republican Senators who voted against the resolution are basically saying, "We're not needed" and "Oath to uphold the Constitution? What oath?"
So, I say the next logical step is to replace them -- whether with Republicans or Democrats -- who will be faithful to their oaths and take their job seriously.
And, by a job, I don't mean being Trump's fixer.
9
So the first cracks appear. Once Republican lawmakers realize death does not await them if they rebuke Trump, Americans can expect more of this in the future. It has taken over two years, but finally an issue was found where there was enough cover for cowardly Republican senators could hide behind. And it was the Constitution, go figure. For the first time, Trump can see there are limits within the party structure that he cannot go beyond. Trump constrained is still Trump, but it is better than the hip shooting rogue he wants to be. Now, of the twelve Republicans who voted against him, who might challenge him in 2020. Any guesses?
9
I’m not holding my breath on any of this, but wouldn’t it be nice?
1
Is it possible that Senator Toomey has a spine? I cannot reach any conclusion about this until I get further evidence in future votes that he has decided to end his pattern of pandering to Trump. But I can hope!
2
It’s pretty apparent at this point that Trump getting re-elected is slim to none. It’s going to be interesting to see how he plays his very weak hand.
What I especially find interesting is that Pelosi said Trump is not worth impeaching but I think that statement is actually quite the opposite and fairly played on her part. Trump spun her words to his base as a victory in the witch-hunt reality show. However what she actually said was that she had not seen anything yet to warrant going that route. Hello Mr. Trump and clan the yet part is coming up pretty soon. The Dems have a plan, make no mistake.
The House will have no choice then to start an impeachment hearing and what great timing by the way. If they don’t proceed with the hearing based in the mountain of evidence they risk going down in history as almost complicit in what is arguably the most corrupt man to occupy the White House.
9
The crisis is not at the southern border. It's in the Oval Office. The Trump Administration is an improbable ball of string that has already begun to unwind. The November elections were the first phase, the defection and conviction of close allies and subordinates were the second phase, the shifting winds in Congress are the third phase. The long anticipated Mueller Report will be the next phase.
Trump has done an able job of building something out of absolutely nothing through a public relations effort greased by the likes of Fox News. But, at the end of the day, nothing is still nothing. What's the value of an unwound ball of dirty string and yarn lying on the streets of America? Not much.
And as quickly as the opportunists of the Republican jumped on board - they will jump right off as they increasingly sense the coming end to this dizzying and disappointing ride on the Trump Merry-Go-Round.
This whole crisis-at-the-border has been constructed as a publicity stunt playing on the fears of uninformed and manipulated people. How long can Trump fail to address the real motivations of his unenlightened (and benighted) base: the evaporation of good manufacturing paying jobs, the opioid crisis, and the stagnation of living standards - before people size him up as a windbag and a fraud?
Methinks that we are fast approaching a tipping point. These people tend to be extremely loyal... until they aren't. And Trump knows that time is fast approaching. My fear? War as a diversion.
12
Congress showing some backbone at last. Too bad the vote wasn’t large enough to be veto-proof.
1
The good news? A dozen Republicans found the political courage to uphold the Constitution. The bad news? 41Republican Senators displayed their craven support of Trump with their abject retreat from supporting that same document.
The really bad news? When the whole Congress fails to override Trump's veto, they will continue on the path of institutional suicide being pursued since the time of the Vietnam War and the abandonment of the power to declare war. This time it will be the abandonment of Article 1, sec. 9, which is the strongest check on an overreaching President in our Constitution.
5
This is going to give Democrats very good campaign material:
which Senate GOP members DO NOT stand up for the Constitution?
They need to get quotes from the senators who voted against the resolution.
9
Good result - but this all fails the logic test. Trump is trying to take an end road around the legislature by saying he can use a national emergency. Then when the legislature comes back and says - "hey no, we really did many our budget, and hey, that is in our power" then Trump can still veto -- therefore requiring a super legislative vote. Yeah? Dumbfounded all right. Under the Constitution there are three equal branches of government and the legislature has the power of the purse. Despite the fact the courts are being packed as we speak - I just hope the third branch does the right thing. And as for those 41 votes -- I hope when all this silliness is over -- you lose your seats -- because you failed to aptly represent your constituents.
6
Why is the President allowed to veto this resolution in the first place?
Regardless of party or situation here, it seems like a serious bit of an oversight of the original framers of the Emergency Powers Act. Of course the President is going to veto legislation disapproving of them abusing emergency powers. Either require a higher voting threshold or leave the President out of the process. They had their moment when issuing the order in the first place.
It's not surprising to see that gutless Thom Tillis, after announcing he'd vote for the resolution, flipped, saying, "As late as today the president makes a statement that he’s willing to work with us."
Work with you? What Trump is doing is attempting to step over congressional oversight as laid out in the Constitution, and something you swore to defend as the representative of the people of North Carolina. The truth is you were threatened with a primary opponent and caved in your ongoing pursuit for money, power and privilege.
This should be a rallying cry for every Democrat, Independent and Republican with a conscience to send this spineless creature back under his rock in 2020. And also add Burr and Meadows to the list of representatives who have demonstrated no interest in truly representing the people of North Carolina.
12
Thank you to all the Republican who voted against President Trump and his fake emergency. Every step we take towards restoring sanity to our government is a step in the right direction. Republicans who sided with the President (so-called) are being very short-sighted. The majority of Americans don't agree with you on this issue or with your at-all-costs brand of political tactics. Karma is coming 'round.
6
"I don't really need to do this (declare an emergency...." - D. Trump. Apparently the Republicans that voted supporting Trump's side forgot Trump said this. Hence there is NO emergency.
9
Spinal transplants are extremely rare, and very expensive. WHAT TOOK YOU SO LONG???
1
Maybe Russia could build the wall. Many years ago there was one in Berlin. Meanwhile, no one will tackle the strife in tiny Central America that is forcing humans to flee their homes.
5
I hope the do-nothing Republicans are not expecting a raucous celebration for finally acting like responsible leaders. After the Collins/Kavanaugh debacle I have somewhere between little and no faith in any of these dead beats.
4
Hold the applause for the 12 Republicans, the only one on the ballot in 2020 was Ms Collins, and she is pretty sure she's getting beat.
1
41 vs 12 Republican Senators debating the simplest aspect of separation of power and Presidential overreach and the overwhelming majority cede power to a runaway executive. The GOP is a lost cause and needs to be gutted like a dead trout. This majority of empty suits are under a demagogic spell, or possibly, no gumption or are corrupt. Considering the fact that these 41 tremble from the shadows of an imaginary wall or barrier without rhyme or reason. They are intellectually carefree without an inkling that they have a reputation or legacy or anything remotely similar to human character. They are Trump's butlers toting his water and crimes. They would fight over who might polish his shoes or wash his hair.
5
I'm absolutely blown away by republicans voting for their political survival over the wellbeing of America. I would never in a million years thought it could happen.
4
@Gene
I take it you have been napping for the last 12 years.
Golly, whatever happened to the "clever" GOP workaround that Senator Lee and others were working on to save Trump this embarrassment? They were telling DC wags all about it earlier this week. Just more proof that the GOP has forgotten how to actually govern.
1
Graham, Cruze, I didn't expect anything from these toadies. I did wonder about how the oh-so-"independent" Ben Sasse would vote. now I know. I hope I never to never hear again about he could be the future of a more enlightened Republican Party. what a joke of a man and a politician.
3
Awesome. It’s about time that the Senate put the country first, not the wayward GOP.
2
Just one more Republican ploy To obfuscate and appear 'open' while in reality continuing to be firmly lead by their oligarch leaders.
2
Trump thinks the Democrats talked the Republican Senators into this?
No, Donald. Good sense and the Constitution set their mind to voting against this insane self declared national emergency. Perhaps they know what a true emergency is and also care.
3
clearly even the Senate would not fall for the Trump bait and switch.
1
"Mr. Trump, at Mar-a-Lago, told an associate that he felt let down by lackluster support for him among Republican leadership."
Delusional Donnie better get a crying towel, because he is going to be REALLY UPSET when he sees the lackluster support he is going to get from the American voters on November 3, 2020.
I'm sure he can find a suitable one on Amazon at a good price. Oh, wait ... Delusional Donnie does not use computers.
1
Well, if anything, we can now more easily discern those who remain blindly loyal to T. and "the base". Blind to facts. Blind to their misguided places in history.
3
Interesting about Thom Tillis -- pretty gutless on his part, and clearly shows where his priorities lie (getting reelected, but perhaps he won't be!) Didn't expect anything constitutional to protect Senate (or House) prerogatives for keepers of the purse from Burr, of course, but did have some hopes Tillis was seeing the light and trying to avoid drinking the Koolaid. Evidently not. SAD!
1
If we hadn't already done so, we've now officially 'jumped the shark'!
1
Mr. Trump tweets that "prominent legal scholars" support his position; however, as usual, he does not name a single scholar. Give us a name Mr. Trump and not just some Fox news hack.
5
@Bruce Tap : Trump wouldn't know a prominent legal scholar from a mockingbird. People who agree with him are "highly respected" and "prominent." That's his only criterion.
2
And those that disagree are “rats”.
Romney wants to be president so badly he can taste it. He's teeing up a 2020 run just in case Trump self-destructs or is fatally wounded by the Mueller and Congressional investigations.
2
Gee, I guess no one has ever seen a Veto before. Turn on the closet light.
1
Kudos to those Republicans who came to their senses and voted against Trump. Let’s hope this is the beginning of more and more of them putting the country before their party.
4
The following 11 states have 2 Senators that do not care about separation of power: Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Louisiana, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas and Wyoming. Those 12 states do not have anyone representing the separation of power between the Congress and the Executive. It should be repeated over and over to see if at least few senators from any of those states switches in the next election cycle.
1
@LAP
re-read your list, the majority of voters in those states are all Trump supporters and would be okay if elected himself Tsar as long he kept pandering to the religious right and big business interests.
1
@LAP : Thank you!
Nice to know change is coming. If GOP wants to be a part of Democracy, defying trump is the start of civility going forward.
3
This got more Republican support than I thought it would - 59 votes is just one short of the number needed to override a veto.
Coupled with the near-unanimous Republican support of the Dem resolution to demand that the AG make the Mueller Report publicly available, could these be signs that Republicans are finally deciding to shoulder their sworn duty? Wouldn't it be refreshing if they actually put their duty above party? I'm not holding my breath, but this does seem portentous.
Maybe the bullets of justice are finally penetrating Teflon Don's shield.
236
67 votes are needed to override a veto.
41
@Kingfish52
I think it takes 2/3 rd's of each chamber of Congress
to over-ride a Presidential Veto. So you need 7 more
Senators to vote against the Emergency Act.
17
@Kingfish52
I believe it takes 67 votes to override a presidential veto but stranger things have happened.
12
Probably feels good to exercise the spine after such an extended nap.
14
Any positive feelings I have about the outcome of this vote are sadly tempered by the reality that forty-one members of the United States Senate--all of them Republican, including Majority Leader McConnell--have put their loyalty to the likes of Donald Trump ahead of their loyalty to the United States Constitution.
28
@revsde
Sovereignty--no control of borders, no need for Congress. Seems what Pelosi, Schumer, Harris, Cortez et al. really want.
1
All those good, Bible quoting Republicans of both Houses should reread the story of Esau who sold his birthright for a "mess of pottage" and consider if they have not set foot on the pathos doing the same thing to their legislative prerogatives.
7
I think Trump set this up just to use his first veto.
3
This is nothing but kabuki theater. The narrative has already changed. "Look at these brave 12 GOP Senators standing up to Trump!"
This is not bravery. They know Trump is going to veto this, and that there is no chance of override. This is all a big, gigantic, scripted joke.
278
@Aaron it seems a few, then a few more Republican Senators are going off script, then. Maybe it's a trend. They only needed a small handful, so why 12?
Believe me I share your cynicism and lack of confidence in Republican profiles of courage, but I have to say I was a little surprised, and even allowed myself to feel hopeful about these results.
21
@Aaron
If those same 12 Senators vote against the override, it will be overridden.
3
@Aaron : I disagree. I want my representatives and senators to defend the constitution and work in the best interests of the people. If we have setbacks, like Trump vetoes that aren't overridden, despite their best efforts, that's too bad. Not trying would be worse. In this case, the courts will end up deciding the issue, and having a record of congress deciding against this funding, against this fake emergency, will matter.
21
The Republicans that voted against the President on this one are not voting against the merits of border security, but for the Constitutional concept of separation of power. The much hyped "schism" in the Republican party is not ideological. This test of separation of power is legitimate and will likely need to be clarified in the Supreme Court.
This, of course, leaves us with the underlying issue of border security and The Wall. Trump's campaign promise of a "big, beautiful wall" is, as a stand-alone proposal, insufficient to deal with the larger issue of illegal immigration. The problem is solvable if both the left and right could agree on the ultimate goal. Of course, this is not the case. The leftist-dominated Democrats have changed their views on illegal immigration from the Bill Clinton attempts at controlling the border, Obama's "deporter-in-chief" moniker, and the 2006 Secure Fences Act which passed the House 283-138.
No, the leftists have, during the Trump Era, decided that unfettered illegal immigration is, somehow, a positive thing. One can only surmise why border security was moral in 2006 and immoral in 2019. It has to be power. The left sees immigrants, legal or otherwise, as keys to obtaining and maintaining political power. There is no other conclusion. Whether its direct votes by immigrants or indirect by family and supporters, it's the only explanation that makes sense.
7
Or, a simpler explanation is that Democrats are against a wall and for border security. That explains why Democrats keep voting for additional billions for border security and why Pelosi said a wall...not border security as you said.. is immoral.
Your explanation that Democrats are seeking immigrant votes fails again in light of two years of Republicans controlling both houses and not seeking a wall appropriation.
Everything is clearer once you realize that a wall and security aren’t the same thing.
3
@Hillary There's another explanation that makes sense, and it is that leftists have not in fact "decided that unfettered illegal immigration is a positive thing."
2
The continued recitation that building a wall is one of Trump’s campaign promises is yet another example of Rightwing radical extremists’ ability to ignore half of reality and only note half of truth.
Trump promised a wall AND that Mexico would pay for it. There were two parts to that promise. Listen to any recording of a Trump campaign rally where he promises a wall. He also promises, and has the audience chant, that Mexico will pay for it.
If you want to support the President and hold him to his promises, hold him to the whole promise of getting the funds from Mexico, not from the American public. Anything short of that is a lie.
3
The Supreme Court will face a tough task. They won't want to decide if the border is an emergency, as such, but they also can't let the president get away with spending money Congress has EXPLICITLY told him he can't spend.
Actually, sounds like grounds for impeachment as an abuse of power, doesn't it?
11
The Court doesn’t have to decide if building a wall is an Emergency, Congress has now said it is NOT, multiple times, and Congress, through its Constitutionally granted power of the purse, is the arbiter of this.
All SCOTUS has to do is reaffirm the principles of Constitutional separation of powers.
@OneView
actually the mere act of declaring an Emergency would not be either a High Crime or Misdemeanor. What it does do is set up a Constitutional Crisis which is the exact thing SCOTUS was established to decide.
The challenge at SCOTUS will be if Chief Justice Roberts wants his reputation in history to be that of the man who allowed a president to bypass the Constitution despite being rejected by Congress.
4 Justices will definitely side with Trump, 4 will definitely side against him. That leaves Roberts.
Unfortunately the D's are setting themselves up to behave like the Freedom Caucus and the upcoming election races will likely splinter support for whomever the nominee shakes out to be. Only time will tell if the D's can get their fringe types under control and vote in unity to correct the biggest crime this nation has ever face; Donald J. Trump getting elected president by the rabid, xenophobic, Christian-Sharia loving right wing residents of the U.S.
Sen. Tillis of North Carolina caved under pressure from faux conservatives who support the president more than the clarity of the constitution. I probably urge in vain, that the voters of North Carolina reject Tillis or any other Republican supporter of the POTUS in 2020.
18
Can Supreme Court restore the balance of power between legislative branch and executive branch as was written in constitution. May be the law from 1976 is unconstitutional.
3
Congress has already spoken as to the Emergency nature of this purported action. They have expressly rejected it as an Emergency by denying the request for funds. The self-imagined King Donald has defied Congress and the Constitution by making an imperial ruling against Congress as if he had chosen to disband it for the purposes of building this wall.
We fought a war of independence over such an ignoring of the spoken desires of the people. There is a reason the writers of the Constitution created a “President”, and not a “King”, with executive powers.
1
close to veto proof. One more. Trumps says "It's simple vote for border security". No, it's a simple vote against autocracy.
8
@James Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe a veto override takes 67 votes, so we need 8 more, and to keep the 12, obviously. Still, 12 Republicans voting "yes" was about 8 more than I expected, so I too am hopeful.
1
12 Republicans finally woke up to Trump's dictatorial tendencies when he declared he was against any limits to his ability to declare future emergencies. 41 percent are now exposed as supporting dictatorship, and will have to answer for it in their next election cycle.
5
All those Senate Republicans who are worried about violating the Constitution or setting a bad precedent for presidential powers should take a long, hard look at themselves and how they enabled things to get to this point.
6
The Senate has an annual tradition of reading aloud George Washington's final speech as president. I'm not sure all attend. For those who do, clearly not all are taking heed in the context of our current president.
..."Let me now take a more comprehensive view and warn you in the most solemn manner against the baneful effects of the spirit of party, generally.
This spirit, unfortunately, is inseparable from our nature, having its root in the strongest passions of the human mind. It exists under different shapes in all governments, more or less stifled, controlled, or repressed; but, in those of the popular form, it is seen in its greatest rankness and is truly their worst enemy.
The alternate domination of one faction over another, sharpened by the spirit of revenge natural to party dissension, which in different ages and countries has perpetrated the most horrid enormities, is itself a frightful despotism. But this leads at length to a more formal and permanent despotism. The disorders and miseries which result gradually incline the minds of men to seek security and repose in the absolute power of an individual; and sooner or later the chief of some prevailing faction, more able or more fortunate than his competitors, turns this disposition to the purposes of his own elevation on the ruins of public liberty."
9
Paraphrasing Chuck Schumer:
"The president seems to regard the government, not just the justice department, as his own personal tool to do whatever he wants, whether it's in the private sector or the public sector. We've never had a president like this. We've had lots of presidents with lots of foibles but none of them seem to equate their own ego with the entire functioning of the government to the united states except this one. We can't succumb to that. It's our job here in congress to limit executive overreach, to defend our core powers, to prevent a president, any president from ignoring the will of congress every time it fails to align with the will of the president.
That's what balance of powers is. That's what checks and balances is. That's what every one of us learned in second grade civics class. But all that teaching in the second grade, all that teaching in the second grade civics class seems to be lost on so many of my republican colleagues in blind obeisance to this president no matter what the consequences.
This is not an issue of the wall. It goes way beyond that. We've had our fights and disputes on the wall for several years here. However you feel about our policy on the southern border, however you feel about the president, senators should vote yes on the resolution to terminate the emergency declaration. This resolution is about more than this president. It's about the presidency."
FABULOUS!
15
This is a good step but Trump and his supporters are totally fine with getting their way out though executive fiat
5
Cool. Looking forward to only a dozen Republican senators speaking out about abuse of Executive power and shredding the constitution when the next Democratic president declares an emergency to fund programs to address gun violence, opioid addiction and health care.
11
Baby steps. When some GOP senators defy Trump and aren’t struck by lightening, maybe more can be peeled off for a subsequent issue. Impeachment, for just an example.
5
So Susan Collins of Maine finally grew a backbone and actually voted against McConnell and Trump. Hopefully whatever caused her growth spurt is contagious.
4
@Elizabeth A
don't give her too much credit, Mitch gave her permission to vote the "politics". It took no courage on her part to obey orders.
1
Mr. Trump said that he would support efforts to update the 1976 law [to restrict use if emergency declarations to actual emergencies] “at a later date.”
A "later date" of course meaning "When I'm not President".
Other rules Trump will support ONLY for Presidents not named Trump.
1. Emoluments clause
2. Special prosecutors and congressional oversight
3. Indictments of openly criminal presidents
4. Release of tax returns and disclosure of business conflict of interests.
5. Functional literacy, limits on excessive TV time, sanity.
6. School grades and birth certificates (people of color only)
31 out of 53 GOP Senators voted to accept this ridiculous executive overreach based on transparent lies told by a manifestly unfit President.
We have fallen so far that less than 25% of GOP Senators voting in line with their oath of office to defend the Constitution feels like progress rather than scandal.
Still, not even close to being impressed.
7
@LT
Disingenuous rant, hollow and shrill. Should spend a couple of nights on the southern border with Border Patrol. Chicago's inner-city on steroids.
1
Good for the Senate (R)s for showing some backbone.
On that same note, since TX is the only state in the Union that can fly its state flag at the same height as the U.S. flag seeing as how when The Republic of Texas was annexed in 1845 [by treaty] that was one of the provisions set forth.
That's much ado about nothing.
In 1836, Texas declared its independence from Mexico; forward to 1845, Texas was annexed; in 1938, the Rio Grande Compact was signed. Not only is it a water sharing agreement b/t CO, NM & TX but an 'environmental' contract b/t Mexico and the U.S./Republic of Texas international border.
Texas currently has a $145b+ "rainy day" fund. It would be an interesting legal argument to find out IF Texas could build its own border fencing along the 1854 miles of the Rio Grande where it is feasible. Install water locks to maintain a more uniform water depth thus providing more environmentally friendly surroundings in the sun dried Presidio and help the farmers and ranchers all along border.
This is the perfect lead for Democrats in 2020. Trump is another politician who couldn't keep a campaign promise.
1
@NM
Yes, but that's other politicians at their worst; it's Mr. Trump at his best. Or, it's the least of his flaws.
1
Not a rebuke of Trump's, its a rebuke of the next democratic president.
@JW Please explain.
Like everything with this President, the issue is not the issue. It has nothing to do with "border security." It's about him. Once again, we are spending billions just to assuage his fragile ego.
If Trump was really interested in border security and disagreed with Congress on how to most (cost-)effectively achieve it, a compromise could have been worked out. In the past, that's how government worked. Now it doesn't.
But, of course, Trump never really intended to build a wall. Maybe he still doesn't know what that would actually entail (he's not good with real-world details), but his rash, transparently phony "emergency declaration" has ensured so many lengthy court battles that no new barriers will ever be constructed. All we know is that, if we are to take his bogus public statements at face value, he doesn't know the first thing about immigration in the United States, legal or illegal. For him, it's all tweets and fury, signifying nothing.
3
Do you think Romney is considering putting in a bid for president? Interesting how he's written op-eds in rebuke of Trump. And this time he and 11 others (including rand paul) voted in opposition of their fellow republicans and more importantly, against Trump. Smells like he's considering running against the incumbent.
1
@Skypirate
yet before Mitch gave him, and all R's, to vote the politics, Mitt said he agreed with the wall. Which is ironic on so many levels, including that he has 8 great-grandmothers and six of them were Mexican. Remember he is royalty in the Mormon church and his grandfather and great grandfather were both polygamists, right there next to the founders and leaders of that church.
Also notice the Mike Lee voted against Trump. That is because Utah hates Trump. They both voted the politics not the constitution or against the wall.
It is good to hear that some Republicans may be growing spines. However, it is too early to know is this will be a trend.
5
Not exactly profiles in courage as almost all of those Republican senators either aren't up again until 2022 or are retiring in 2020.
3
As a resident of Florida and long time supporter of Marco Rubio, I will voting against him in a primary if someone runs his right If he is the only Republican candidate I will not vote. This is the preeminent issue of the time and he has fumbled again. Nice guy. Can’t do the job. My family are long time elected officials from Kentucky it is safe to say that he will face primary opposition over this vote and lost the support of his base over nonsense. People will not come for him anymore after his failure here.
The real shocker in this vote tally is Roy Blunt, who although a member of the Senate GOP leadership, still defied Trump. Totally surprising.
2
If the President and Republicans in Congress can spin this resolution as Dems are for crime and open borders, seems pretty clear that Dems should put their own spin and declare that the President and Republicans are for the re-establishment of a monarchy and want to do away with the Constitution.
3
So much for the theory that Ben Sasse has a backbone!
Here's another gem: "Mr. McConnell...made a point of not pressuring senators to support Mr. Trump, urging them to vote according to their consciences and political interests..."
Forget about constituents, we're not in the Republicans' calculations.
2
The 2018 Senate mid-terms were stacked against the Dems. In 2020, that will be completely reversed. So all a GOP senator need do is look at the voting patterns in the House elections from 2018, and be scared for a change. Six years is not forever.
One by one, the GOP will fall away from the failed state Trump has created. For a change, issues rather than insults will win the day and we can get rid of this pathological liar.
1
To paraphrase groucho marx in respect of Senator tillman "I have principles, but if you threaten my job, I have others"
Senate voted 59:41 to overturn President Trump’s declaration of a national emergency. Both parties called donnie's executive overreach unacceptable.
"Defectors" is what the GOP "leadership" called those who voted to smack down donnie. They are not. Donnie called and threatened individual senators. Extortion and intimidation are donnie's tools because he can not, or will not, lead.
They are doing their duty to the nation.
NOT party over country.
NOT personal loyalty to donnie.
They see their OBLIGATION to support and defend the CONSTITUTION of the United States of America.
3
Trump probably would have been more effective in turning around votes if he still had Michael Cohen as his “fixer”.
@Inkspot
Not to mention that he'd be much more credible pitching an "emergency" with a crew cut, sans tint. Nothing says "not a crisis" like the coif that apparently takes an hour in the a.m. to work in color, blow dry and arrange your comb-over.
This so-called defection was nothing more than a calculated stunt on the part of the Republicans. If anybody thinks they had any anguish or serious soul searching about it they are sadly mistaken. The GOP to a man wants this wall built. They don’t care if they bring the constitution down along with it. They knew the numbers and they left themselves just enough room for the upcoming veto. So spare me all the histrionics about the importance of the so-called “rebuke” of Trump.
With all of the tales that Trump has told, how could one believe "If, at a later date Congress wants to update the law, I will support those efforts" that he would keep his word?
3
I don't understand the talk of a veto. A veto adds absolutely nothing to the question of whether there is or is not an emergency.
Congress passed the emergency legislation some years ago giving the president authority to declare an emergency. The president is now declaring an emergency. Congress has this date passed legislation stating that there is in fact no emergency. The House and Senate have spoken. How often do we read in Supreme Court opinions that something in a statute is unclear and that congress should pass new legislation clarifying the matter.
Here we have Congress clarifying the matter rather specifically. This is not an emergency. Who better to define an "emergency" than the entity that created the "emergency" provision in the first place.
Ignore any veto.
How could any court say that this is an emergency given the action of Congress. They can't, legitimately.
The matter is done, finished, end of story.
1
As great of an idea it would be to be able to elect a democratic president and declare an emergency for things like climate change, this also sets up now power for the executive office. I'm glad this measure passed
1
The number of Republicans willing to stand up to the current president is growing. It's slow, but it doesn't take a lot more to get to critical mass. I. Can't. Wait.
5
Bravo! A bi-partisan light st the end of the long dark Trump tunnel. Reason, love if country and our system of checks and balances prevailed. Thank you to all who had the courage to vote NO!
1
@TR NJ
Not sure, but given the tone of your comment I think you meant "Thank you to all who had the courage to vote YES."
The issue in question was whether or not to declare that the national emergency was not legitimate and therefore a vote of YES was a vote against Trump and his efforts to become King of America hundreds of years after George Washington turned down that opportunity. And George was a war hero who didn't claim bone spurs to get out of serving in the military, so he might have had a little more claim to the title.
When Trump finally suspends elections and Congress, he will frame it in terms of personal loyalty, too. And he will be right.
3
Now the veto and then the veto override. Plenty of time to pack and still make the trip up from Honduras.
1
@John Doe, just don’t take a 737 Max. It might be a dangerous journey.
This seems too cute by half. The margin allowed enough vulnerable Republicans, such as Susan Collins, to vote in favor while ensuring President Trump retains his veto.
If the veto threshold was say 55 then one suspects the Republicans would have made the numbers up to 54. It gives them political cover for the 2020 election while doing nothing effective to stop the President's plan.
5
Every move Trump makes, including his "VETO!" tweet, is made through the lens of how it would look at one of his political rallies. If and idea can't be sold at one of his free-flow, stream-of-conscience, rally-the-base MAGA events, he does not come close to supporting it. I can hear him yelling VETO know, maybe getting the crowd to chant it. By making decisions this way -- his red meat, red state MAGA litmus test -- Trump serves only one group of Americans when he should represent all of us. That is why he has failed and will fail to be reelected in 2020.
8
Good. Let every Senator now be on record to show their constituents whether their loyalty is to Trump or the Constitution.
14
I love the irony this sets up. If Trump vetoes the bill it further implies executive overreach, because he is going against the wishes of majority of legislators.
Also ironic is that no judge in their right mind is going to consider this matter a true emergency. Twice Congress has said it is not an emergency. How can Trump say it is?
5
@Romain
By its nature, every veto goes against the wishes of the majority of legislators. Otherwise, a veto wouldn't be necessary.
That said, I do believe this will ultimately end up in from of the Supreme Court. The court will NOT take up the merits of whether there's an emergency at the border or not. They will take up the issue of the powers of the President to declare a national emergency and how does the Constitutional concept of separation or powers through co-equal branches of government pertain to these Presidential powers. This is a legitimate legal question that SCOTUS will undoubtedly take up.
Trump has painted himself into quite a corner here. After declaring that Democrats don't care about our security because they won't fund his wall, he now has to account for his own party taking the same stand.
9
So, in changing his mind at the last minute, is that Thom Tillis (R-NC) saying outright that getting re-elected is more important to him than upholding the constitutional separation of powers, checks and balances?? Or, in other words, retreating from the oath he took when sworn into the Senate this term?
16
Yes.
Finally! May today be the beginning of the end for Trump's lack of Republican resistance - and of Trump's myth that the border wall is any national imperative.
3
I could understand voting along party lines if a congressman was not sure of the best solution to an issue up for vote. In this case it appears many of the senators voting against the resolution and for the president voted did so without consideration of the importance of the constitutional issues being considered ..and voted only in support of a party line and their next election. They obviously don’t seem to understand the constitution and there positions as members of Congress. How can they be able to run for elections if they don’t understand the constitution and their position with the constitutional framework . Clearly the President and White do not. Same conclusion.
9
At least some Republicans were consistent with their long-proclaimed principles.
Lindsay Graham, long John Mccain's best friend and closest ally, continues to shame McCain's legacy.
21
How refreshing that 12 of the 53 Republicans in the Senate voted in favor of the Constitution and its "separation powers." Let's hope the rejection of Trump's "fake news" national emergency by both chambers of Congress is enough to convince the Supreme Court as well.
202
@Paul Wortman
The supreme court is a joke. Roberts will have to become a permanent swing voter if he is assure there even IS a supreme court left when Trump is done.
6
@Paul Wortman
Don’t hold your breath.
Mr. Trump will be in office for another 2 to 6 years. The Constitution has been around for a couple of centuries and with the right protections should be around for a few more. I applaud all the Senators and Representatives who recognized the importance of the balance of powers with our system. I hope a few more will recognize the fleeting nature of the current political climate and find the backbone to stand up to the President.
6
Sadly, this is not enough to override a veto. This sets a dangerous and tragic precedent -- but one which now both sides must exploit.
The next Democratic president should immediately declare a national emergency over Climate Change and Gun Control. Any noise from the other side will be tempered by how these senators voted today.
8
Not enough support - do far- to override Trump's promised veto.
However, it gives ammunition in any lawsuit for the courts (and, perhaps ultimately, the US Supreme Court) to hold that Trump's declaration of a "national emergency" is unconstitutional in view of the votes Congress took to end the shutdown (with less "wall" funding than Trump sought). the recent vote by the House and today the Senate to overturn the emergency declaration, and that the declaration directly infringes upon Congress' Article I sole authority over the power of the purse (the power to spend).
Trump's emergency declaration will be overturned - one way or another.
6
The president is seeking to redirect "$3.6 billion from military construction projects toward the border wall." Congress has given him the authority to declare a national emergency. The Constitution has invested him with the powers of the Commander-In-Chief. If the president has money for military construction projects available and declares a national emergency, it is within his authority to redirect those monies from one military construction project to another. And protecting this nation's border from invasion is within the purview of the military.
Maybe Congress now laments ceding power to the Executive, but they did so through legislation. If they don't like it, legislation is their only recourse. So, if they can override the veto, let them. But, the president isn't doing anything that is outside of his authority. This is simply sour grapes on the part of our legislators.
1
@Mario There are a couple of assumptions that you're basing your claim on that are problematic because they set a bad precedent for future administrations.
The military is in charge of upholding our borders so we're not invaded, but there is not invasion happening. "'I agree it’s a security challenge — not a military threat,' added Gen. Joseph F. Dunford Jr., the Joint Chiefs chairman."
Second, congress has explicitly denied the use of funds for this purpose twice, so the President is circumventing the process and spending unilaterally -it's unconstitutional.
1
@Mario so if he asks for $20 billion to build himself a castle like King Donald I, and declares that a national emergency, is that outside his authority? Or sour grapes on the part of people who believe in democracy?
McConnell urged senators to vote "according to their consciences and political interests"--presumably in that order?--so now we know that exactly 12 Senate Republicans possess a functioning conscience.
12
@Darcy
Obviously McConnell does not.
3
@Darcy
not exactly, what we know is 12 Republican Senators are willing to vote their political interests once Mitch gave them permission too. Look at the states they are from, they are either anti-trump (Utah) or the senator has to get D;s on their side to win re-election.
1
@Darcy...not likely, Darcy. More likely a re-election ploy knowing a veto's never going to be overridden. That's not conscience. It's strategic meism.
1
We have finally and clearly separated those who will uphold their oath to the Constitution and those who have traded it for an oath to Trump. This was an easy choice, but there will be more difficult days ahead.
11
While 59 is not enough to override a veto, until there is an actual veto, 2/3 of both houses aren't needed. Hopefully by the time there is a formal veto, congress will come to its senses that allowing a president to overreach presidential authority is a violation of their constitutional mandated duties and override the veto. Otherwise, we'll have two very serious constitutional crises in two different branches of government and have real doubt in their ability to run a government under their sworn oath to the United States' Constitution.
4
Good result as it prevents creating a precedent in support of the administration’s overreach.
But this result should not be confused with what looks like the majority of the American’s view that a border wall has been working well so far in preventing the en masse illegal immigration and that it makes sense to have it extended.
2
@Grain of Sand
If the majority of Americans support a full fledged border wall, then why did the Democrats win the house in 2018? Why do polls consistently show that no, the majority don't support the wall? Why didn't Trump push it through when Republicans had full control of the government?
There is zero indication that Americans support a wall. Trying to confuse the issue by conflating existing barriers along strategic points (which do work) with the massive waste of money that is Trump's wall does not change that.
@Grain of Sand Recent polling makes it pretty clear that the majority of Americans are not in favor of the border wall. Border crossings have been deceasing for decades. There is no national emergency that a wall would address.
And there certainly is no reason for a president to attempt to usurp the powers assigned by the Constitution to the Congress. How many times and ways does Congress need to tell the President that they are unwilling to fund a border wall?
2
@Grain of Sand, you have a unique definition of "majority" since most Americans are clearly against iDJT's wall.
The cries of those kids in the detention center cages, the visuals of kids being snatched from their parents arms...bad things happened right before our eyes. How can we be forgiven for participating in lifelong scars in the minds of these little children who cried and cried for their mammas!
Central and south American countries have neglected their citizens for so long the poor families make month long treks hoping to find a better life in America because it is a land that have refuge to those running away from persecution poverty tragedy. That same America created a creature who became President on the promise he will keep brown people away because those people join gangs and rape our women. What a dark President!
29
@petey tonei
I agree. I would prefer to be an Japanese internment camp than be separated from my children. I would rather have my arm cut off than be separated from my children. Take my house, every penny I have, my business, beat me and throw me in a hovel but do not take my kids away.
This is so harmful to the children's psyche. It keeps me up at night.
This will be added to the lists of horrors that we have committed. All I can think is the people doing it do not think the immigrants are human or they have no empathy. Why are we destroying children who are completely innocent? Their parent's also have a right to request asylum without being tortured ( for torture it is).
1
@Sv
Of all congressional republicans who ought to be impeached for abuse of power and ignoring constitutional safeguards as stated in our battered Constitution, McConnell is head and shoulders above all others with the exception of Emperor Cheeto himself.
1
“I take Congress’s prerogative over appropriations extremely seriously,” said Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the majority leader. “But,” he added, “the Senate should not be in the business of misusing specific resolutions to express opinions on more general matters.”
This sounds like something George Orwell would write. What does this even mean?
41
@George correct, it’s doublethink. To simultaneously hold two contradictory statements as true, and believe both. Congress is empowered with Article 1 power, and it isn’t. That’s how you control the American people, by using doublethink political indoctrination.
2
@George
what it means is .. there is no such thing as voting on a principle .. like .. oh .. upholding the constitutional rules.
You only vote yes/no based on your narrow interests of the motion at-hand
Mitch - as long as I get what I want its OK -McConnell
1
Some Republican Senators apparently discovered there is, in fact, a U.S. Constitution -- and the powers given to "We the People" through Congress are appropriately set forth first in something called "Article I" (not "Article II" or "Aricle III") for a reason. Either that or their poll numbers are dropping like a rock. Profiles in courage?
18
12 Republicans voted to deny #45 the power to declare an emergency at the border. If #45 veto's the resolution passed by both the House and Senate, lets hope that 8 more Republicans will stand up and deny #45 the power to violate the U.S. constitution.
29
@Ramirez
Problem is that the Senate vote is dead on arrival in the even more arch-right leaning House.
1
If I am not mistaken, Susan Collins is the only Republican voting Yes who is up for reelection in 2020. Lamar Alexander's seat is up in 2020, but he is retiring.
10
Actually dozens of Republicans are up for re-election in 2020. They are cowards!
Your headline should read “41 republicans support trump fake emergency.”
What a sad spectacle.
59
Sen. Sasse gave a great speech on how congress needed to reassert it’s powers, but when he had a chance to vote in favor of this he failed miserably. Why people keep (re)electing such slimy politicians is beyond me. Without enough Republican votes to override Trump’s veto this is pure political theater. Guess Republicans only ‘support the Constitution’ when a Democrat is in the White House. Otherwise, it’s bow to the king...
33
@Dersh, their constituents keep electing them because they want republicans in power who will place conservative judges on courts throughout the U.S. Their hope is eventually, Rowe vs. Wade will be overturned by the Supreme Court, and abortion will become illegal in this country.
@Dersh So right, I love it basically out of both sides of their mouth. Talk about the issue and then vote the opposite. This is not about the party this is about the Constitution and being a Nation of Laws not the personal fiefdom of the gang boss. Lindsay Graham is someone who once John McCain made a quick call to Trump and jumped in bed with him. A man with no principles or morality code what so ever. And you are right even here in Ontario people vote the same way for people who slit their throats at every opportunity. Jim Trautman
It is time for the president to select a new poster-child for inflaming the passions of the hard right. Whipping Nancy Pelosi seems to be losing steam. To those of us keeping score, it appears that she has won more matches than has he. And, if he thought this week has gone badly for him, I hate to be the messenger to inform him that tomorrow is the Ides of March.
27
Paraphrasing Chuck Schumer:
"The president seems to regard the government, not just the justice department, as his own personal tool to do whatever he wants, whether it's in the private sector or the public sector. We've never had a president like this. We've had lots of presidents with lots of foibles but none of them seem to equate their own ego with the entire functioning of the government to the united states except this one. We can't succumb to that. It's our job here in congress to limit executive overreach, to defend our core powers, to prevent a president, any president from ignoring the will of congress every time it fails to align with the will of the president. That's what balance of powers is. That's what checks and balances is. That's what every one of us learned in second grade civics class. But all that teaching in the second grade, all that teaching in the second grade civics class seems to be lost on so many of my republican colleagues in blind obeisance to this president no matter what the consequences. This is not an issue of the wall. It goes way beyond that. We've had our fights and disputes on the wall for several years here. However you feel about our policy on the southern border, however you feel about the president, senators should vote yes on the resolution to terminate the emergency declaration. This resolution is about more than this president. It's about the presidency."
FABULOUS!
30
Nice to see spineless Tillis flip his vote
11
Isn't a vote against presidential overreach a declaration that the Senate and House really have no discernible function.
5
At least there are some Republicans who have not lost their minds completely. I hope this is enough to deter the madman at the helm.
11
"...[Trump] dismissed concerns about the constitutional precedent of his order."
Hmmmm. Almost as if he has it in the back of his mind that there will never be another Democratic president who would act on this precedent.
9
Exactly? And where did he get that notion? McConnell?
It's about time! Congress needs to remind Trump that ours is a system of checks and balances -- petty abuse of power for superficial reasons corrodes the foundations of our entire government.
This phony "emergency" has already gone on too long. We need a return to rule of law
15
But Trump will remind them they need a 2/3 vote to override his veto. Doesn’t seem to be enough republican spines to reach that threshold.
@Elinor, It’s Trump himself who is our national emergency.
This is what happens when a political party becomes morally bankrupt. Seems like we are living under a mobster rule. The mafia king threatens anyone crossing the line with severe punishment. He gets away with it since they are afraid of the consequences which can be personal, family, financial or political. What has happened to our great nation? How can people tolerate the mafia rule dominated by fear, vulgar words, threat and limitless corruptions. People, please wake up. Shame on the senators voting against the resolution- you would be remembered by the history as the most dishonest legislators in US history. You demonstrated today that you are a spineless narcissist with zero character.
17
Ultimately, about a dozen Republicans joined Senate Democrats in supporting the House-passed resolution of disapproval: Lamar Alexander of Tennessee, Roy Blunt of Missouri, Susan Collins of Maine, Mike Lee of Utah, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Rob Portman of Ohio, Mitt Romney of Utah, Marco Rubio of Florida, Patrick J. Toomey of Pennsylvania, Rand Paul of Kentucky, Roger Wicker of Mississippi, and Mr. Moran.
Trump now knows exactly which R senators lack integrity. I'm a bit surprised at Mike Lee. Expected better of him.
The word "integrity" doesn't fit here; loyalty, or perhaps fealty is clearly more appropriate.
@BSCook111
Seems like Mike Lee and his cohorts chose the Constitution and American Democracy over President Trump.
I can't wait to see the incoherent tweets!
13
Unless the Senate has the votes to override the veto and, takes up the vote, this is just political theatrics.
2
So 41 GOP Senators are willing to betray the Constitution in the name of their dictator. If you gave the framers greatest fear a name it was that a faction would end up cowering like this.
19
Now it's time for those republicans and democrats who voted to pass this in both houses to buddy up with a republican member or two and help them get to an override position. Safety in numbers folks - take a buddy and help them do the right thing!
11
Finally the Senate is showing some back bone and is telling the POTUSA he cannot do anything and everything he wishes. We are still a Republic.
8
@lftash Not really. The GOP members voting yes aren't coming up for re-election (except Murkowski).
The Senators who voted to support the declaration have pummeled their integrity into nothing. They've unquestionably demonstrated that they are hypocrites who don't value their principles enough to stand up for the Constitution and our way of government. Grassley, Graham, Cruz, et al---no amount of grandstanding from here on out will restore their tarnished reputations and legacies.
10
RE: "on one of the core promises that animated Mr. Trump’s political rise, the vow to build a wall between the United States and Mexico." and why is always forgotten "THAT MEXICO WILL PAY FOR!"?
RE: “It’s pure and simple: it’s a vote for border security, it’s a vote for no crime,”
I am very happy that a few Republicans realized it not that. It is a vote regarding the President taking Congressional authority. One can be, and many are, in favor of building the wall that AMERICANS will pay for - but not in favor of a National Emergency Declaration that the President himself admitted was funding option not an emergency.
12
Is it possible after the first rebellion, that the next would gain more support? Might the example of a few principled Republican Senators stir bravery in others?
19
@Gerard
Don’t bet on it.
Well it's official... 12 Republican Senators believe in the United States Constitution, 41 do not.
31
This is all a con job. It is enough of a con job that I wouldn't be astonished if Trump signed the law to end the declaration.
The reason it is a con job is that it appears that Trump will never even try to use the declaration to fund his wall. The White House has announced that all other funding sources will be used first. That includes billions Trump could have used without additional action by Congress since the first day of his presidency.
This is about temporary injunctions. As long as Trump doesn't try to move funds within the military construction budget (10 USC 2808), the Courts won't issue an injunction stopping him, regardless of the merits of opposing the declaration. That's because you have to show irreparable harm for an interim injunction. If Trump has done nothing with 10 USC 2808, where's the harm?
The next battle will be over stripping the DoD budget for FY2020 of any ability to transfer funds for Trump's wall.
1
Does this mean that there is a hint of sanity in our political body so used to selling out to big, corporate interests, public opinion be damned?
I guess the wall-construction contractor lobby is still too small to effectively sway the vote.
6
@Roberto Don't forget that Gorsuch and Kavanaugh now sit on the court. The Originalists will probably somehow find a way to twist and turn themselves into knots so that they can justify turning our President into a King just like our founding fathers intended. Maybe they can have Clarence Thomas right the majority opinion.
Well, at least the Senate was functional for once in the last 6 years....
11
Surprising that the majority of GOP senators did not vote to uphold their constitutional powers. Isn’t this the party that carries around tiny copies of the Constitution in their pockets which they take out and wave when convenient?
I guess their power of the purse was just not that important.
32
It’s a good vote but it bothers me that these Republican Senators will stomp, and let the president stomp, all over everyone else but them.
12
It's good that Mitt Romney is taking a stand. While I don't agree with Mitt on many issues I think fundamentally he is a good honest person. Even Lindsey Graham along with others should show some courage and stand up to this and any President who is totally ignoring our Constitution.
16
Any Senator duped into believing this is a test of loyalty has failed their oath of upholding the Constitution. That such an idea is even being proposed by Trump shows the lengths he'll go to establish an authoritarian regime. He'd sooner turn America into a Ponzi scheme than allow democracy to work.
30
Trump, now it is your move. Your chances in the court system have just went down to almost ZERO.
8
That's 12 Republicans, and it is what it is. Trump will likely veto it because racist policy is what he's always been about and what his voters count on, even at the expense of their well-being and ability to earn a living.
These are the times we continue to live in, on steroids. We have a long way to go, well past the election of an all-majority Democratic government, until this nation finally turns the corner on its original sin.
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Things Trump Did While You Weren’t Looking [2019]
https://wp.me/p2KJ3H-3h2
7
If those who voted for this truly are against a president usurping congressional authority, why don't they repeal the Emergency Powers Act, which grants the president this authority?
10
@Tom Sadly, the Emergency Powers Act was written under the assumption of a sane, responsible, and caring President, which is clearly not the case with Mr. Trump.
3
@Lisa Kelly’s Securing our borders when Congress fails to do so is not insane, irresponsible, or uncaring. Quite the opposite. In fact, Congress is all those things, and complete failures as well, for not fixing our border problem after decades of posturing over it. But yours, of course, is just a lame rationalization. If it's not good, get rid of it.
1
A good beginning. I hope other Republicans will stand up for what is right in the near future. But, for now, I am proud of those who voted as Patriots instead of partisans.
66
No! There should be no "AND" in the last sentence. Every member of the House and Senate should only be voting according to their conscience. Saving one's seat at the table is not what any of them have been elected to do.
"Yet Mr. McConnell, who strongly advised Mr. Trump against declaring the emergency declaration, made a point of not pressuring senators to support Mr. Trump, urging them to vote according to their consciences and political interests, according to seven Republican aides and lawmakers."
35
Some sanity at last!
35
Sarah Huckabee Sanders' anticipated spin of today's vote: "The President is pleased that Congress has permitted him to do what he believes is necessary for border security."
37
SHAME on the 41 Republican Senators who don't even understand our Constitution, their responsibilities as Senators, and the dangerous road this so-called president has paved.
Get your neighbors, get your relatives, get all your friends, and get them registered and:
VOTE THE REPUBLICANS OUT in 2020.
367
They are finding a spine as the election approaches. It has dawned on them that those 6 year seats are not forever.
27
It is a measure of how much what passes for news coverage or political commentary in this country has degenerated into "Bad for Trum!" or "Trump bad!" that this vote is not being covered as yet another failure of Congress to stand up for its privileges. No, that is not important. What is important is how it affects Trump personally.
This country is being reduced to a cesspool - both by the behavior of Trump and his supporters, and by how his haters respond to them.
25
Okay, so a bunch of Republicans got together and drew straws to see which of them would pretend to go against Mr. Trump, so as to pretend to stand up for Republican-Party credibility. Sorry, boys -- that ship sailed a while ago.
70
Trump Tweeted: "Prominent legal scholars agree that our actions to address the National Emergency at the Southern Border and to protect the American people are both CONSTITUTIONAL and EXPRESSLY authorized by Congress."
Mr. Trump, what are the names of the prominent legal scholars to whom you referred?
Trump: "Tweedledee and Tweedledum."
88
Well, there we have it. Indisputable facts, numbers that show 41 US Senators have more fidelity to Trump than to the US Constitution.
346
Finally a small flicker of patriotism in some GOP senators. With God's help, it might grow...
23
A Commedia dell’Arte, the worst actually!
6
Mr. President, you may think that you can get blood out of a turnip, but go ahead and try. We've had enough of your silliness, ego-gone-wild antics, name-calling spouts, and pouting. For the first time during your term of office, act presidential; the history of your administration needs it.
15
The take away here is that 41 GOP Senators rolled over and put their bellies up when called upon to defend one of the most foundational aspects of our democracy.
41 GOP lap dogs
171
Voting Results:
- 59 US Senators know there is no emergency.
- 41 US Senators know there is no emergency and are cowards
516
Thom Tillis should be ashamed of himself! Bought by the Trump Administration, and played hook, line and sinker. This is why many voters dislike politicians. They have no backbone...
45