Trump to sign border security bill and declare national emergency – By Zachary Basu (Axios) / Feb 14 2019
Photo: Michael Reynolds-Pool via Getty Images
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said Thursday that President Trump told him he intends to sign the spending bill agreed to by Congress, and — at the same time — declare a national emergency in order to get additional funding for his border wall. Press Secretary Sarah Sanders confirmed McConnell’s statement.
Why it matters: Trump’s decision to invoke his emergency powers is sure to anger both Democrats and some Republicans because of the precedent it could set for future administrations. It’s also likely to be met with several legal challenges, including one from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who said after the announcement that it’s one option Democrats will consider.
“President Trump will sign the government funding bill, and as he has stated before, he will also take other executive action — including a national emergency — to ensure we stop the national security and humanitarian crisis at the border. The President is once again delivering on his promise to build the wall, protect the border, and secure our great country.”
— Sarah Sanders
The state of play: The Senate passed the bipartisan spending bill, 83-16. It now goes to the House, who will vote on it today and send it on to the White House.
