House sustains Trump’s veto of bill to terminate emergency declaration
WASHINGTON – The House of Representatives Tuesday afternoon failed to override President Donald Trump’s veto of a joint resolution that would have terminated the emergency declaration he declared to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.
The measure was defeated 248-181. For the measure to have been adopted, 290 votes were needed.
Trump vetoed the resolution on March 15. It is the first veto of his presidency.
A day earlier the resolution passed the Republican-controlled Senate 59-41. The resolution passed the Democratic-controlled House 245-182 on Feb. 26.
Trump issued the declaration on Feb. 15 in conjunction with the signing of legislation to keep the government funded through September.
Under the declaration, the administration may be able to secure about $8 billion for the wall by taking money from “unobligated” funds.
Sixteen state attorneys general and the American Civil Liberties Union have filed lawsuits, arguing the declaration is unconstitutional.
Article I, Sec. 9, Clause 7 of the U.S. Constitution states: “No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law.”
The administration has asked for an additional $8.6 billion in wall funding in its FY 2020 budget request.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) have said the request for additional wall money is a non-starter.
This article is republished with permission from Talk Media News
Bryan is an award-winning political journalist who has extensive experience covering Congress and Maryland state government.
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