Senate Democrats plan to introduce resolution blocking Trump's national emergency

by Kerry Eleveld

Community

Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019 Thursday, Feb. 21, 2019 at 1:17:08pm PST

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi of California, the speaker-designate for the new Congress, arrive to talk to reporters as a revised spending bill is introduced in the House that includes $5 billion demanded by President Donald Trump for a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, as Congress tries to avert a partial shutdown, in Washington, Thursday, Dec. 20, 2018. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) — Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi

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Senate Democrats are preparing to introduce a resolution rejecting Donald Trump's national emergency declaration as House Democrats plan to take a similar step Friday.

Similar to Pelosi's push for a bipartisan front against Trump's attempt to seize some $6 billion in funding for his border wall, Sen. Chuck Schumer also urged members of both parties to reject Trump's power grab. “This issue transcends partisan politics, and I urge all senators — Democrats and Republicans — to support this resolution to terminate the president’s emergency declaration when it comes up for a vote in the Senate," Schumer said in a statement.

The Resolution of Disapproval only requires majority support in both chambers to pass, and it is expected to sail through the House. If all Democratic senators vote for it in the upper chamber, the support of only four GOP senators would be needed to send it to Trump's desk. Trump is expected to veto it, most likely without a hint of grace. A two-thirds vote would be needed in both chambers to override a veto and for the resolution to succeed.

Though at least half a dozen Republican senators have expressed doubts about Trump's declaration, Sen. Susan Collins of Maine is the only one to say she will support the disapproval resolution. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell capitulated to Trump, going on the record in support of the national emergency, in exchange for Trump's signature on the government funding bill.

Sounds like all those GOP senators are going to have a chance to choose between backing Trump's indefensible executive action or actually taking a stand. Popcorn, please.