HYDE-SMITH VOTES AGAINST DEMOCRAT ATTEMPT TO STYMIE PRESIDENT’S BORDER WALL CONSTRUCTION
Miss. Senator Again Supports President Trump’s Ability to Shift Funds for Border Security Emergency
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), who serves on the Senate Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, today voted to support President Trump’s ability to obligate funding for the humanitarian and security emergency on the southern border.
Just as she did last March, Hyde-Smith on Wednesday voted against a Resolution of Disapproval (S.J.Res.54) to condemn President Trump’s national emergency declaration. The resolution passed the Senate, 54-41, largely along party lines and without Hyde-Smith’s support. The House of Representatives could consider the measure next.
“This resolution is just another effort to object to any significant work to control and secure our borders. It also dismisses the fact that the Supreme Court in July cleared the way for President Trump and his administration to take action to address the humanitarian and security crisis on the southern border,” Hyde-Smith said.
“I respect constitutional power of the purse given to Congress, but it is clear that the situation at the border is a national emergency, and the President is within his legal rights to carry out actions to stop unlawful border crossings and illegal drug trafficking,” she said. “Congress appropriated these funds to support our national security, which is exactly how they are going to be used.”
Presidents have declared more than 60 national emergencies since the enactment of the National Emergencies Act of 1976. Emergencies have involved everything from swine flu to the response to the 9/11 attacks.
On Thursday, the Senate Appropriations Committee will markup the FY2020 Homeland Security Appropriations Bill, which recommends providing $5.0 billion to fund construction of a border wall system.
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