WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Tom Udall (D-N.M.) issued the following statement on the Senate’s bipartisan vote to pass a resolution to terminate the president’s national emergency declaration. Udall introduced the Senate resolution to terminate the president’s national emergency declaration, along with U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine) , Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska).
“The message that we sent today was historic, resounding, and unequivocal. For the first time ever, Congress has voted – across party lines -- to terminate a president’s national emergency declaration. The president should heed the bipartisan message we have delivered, and he should now drop his unconstitutional attempt to go around Congress and the American people to raid taxpayer money for his ineffective and wasteful border wall.
“It is about time that we showed the American people we are here to represent and serve their interests – not the sole interests of a president who will stop at nothing to pay for his wall, no matter how many people he hurts along the way. I am proud that the Senate voted to stop this politically-motivated power grab, and to uphold the separation of powers outlined in the Constitution. No president, Republican or Democrat, should be granted permission by Congress to raid critical military funds like a personal piggy bank for a project that a majority of New Mexicans and Americans outright reject.
“New Mexico’s border communities are vibrant and unique places. They are part of the heart and soul of our state and our nation. We need to understand the reality on the ground as we debate these issues in Washington, and as we work to keep our nation safe while also honoring and defending what makes our nation special. Americans are tired of partisan fights that accomplish nothing for hard-working families. It is time to stop governing by chaos, extortion, and division, and instead rise to meet the needs and priorities of the people who sent us here.”
On February 15, the president declared a national emergency at the southern border, in an ongoing attempt to divert funding already appropriated for military construction and other projects toward a border wall – despite the fact that Congress alone holds the “power of the purse,” to appropriate taxpayer funds.
