Democrats Seek To Terminate Trump's Declaration Of National Emergency - Statements

Congressional Democrats issued statements on Friday in opposition to President Donald Trump's decision to declare a national emergency with respect to the US southern border and vowed to fight to terminate the president's declaration

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 16th February, 2019) Congressional Democrats issued statements on Friday in opposition to President Donald Trump's decision to declare a national emergency with respect to the US southern border and vowed to fight to terminate the president's declaration.

"I will fully support the enactment of a joint resolution to terminate the President's emergency declaration, in accordance with the process described in the National Emergencies Act, and intend to pursue all other available legal options," House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler said in a statement.

Nadler also said the Judiciary Committee would use its authority to hold the Trump administration to account and determine the supposed legal basis for the president's actions.

Congressman Benny Thompson, Chairman of the House of Representatives Homeland Security Committee, said the American people would not be fooled by what he called the president's "menacing and authoritarian action."

"I hope both parties in Congress come together to quickly stop it. We must not allow the President to continue his incessant malice to distract from his failed leadership and failed border security policies," Thompson said.

Congresswoman Nita Lowey, Chair of the House of Representatives Appropriations Committee, called Trump's national emergency declaration "phony," adding that it upends democratic norms and creates a disturbing precedent.

"In the coming days, we will carefully study the details of President Trump's announcement and determine how best to challenge it, both legislatively and legally," Lowey said. "As we debate this issue, I implore Congressional Republicans to work with us to protect our institution and defend the Constitution."

Patrick Leahy, Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, said there is no national emergency and no one who subscribes to reality can claim otherwise.

"In the days and weeks ahead, the President's emergency declaration - which amounts to an end run around both the Constitution and Congress - will be challenged both in the courts and in Congress," Leahy said.

The senator called on his Republican colleagues to take a stand. He cautioned against forever changing the course of the separation of powers in the United States because the US president made a promise to build a border wall that he could not keep.