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Tonko Statement on House Vote to Reject Trump Emergency Declaration

Calls out President for unconstitutional attack on separation of powers

WASHINGTONCongressman Paul D. Tonko joined with 244 of his colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives today, including more than a dozen Republicans, in a vote to terminate President Donald Trump’s emergency declaration to build a taxpayer-funded border wall on the U.S. southern border.

“Our vote today protects the very heart of our Constitution,” said Tonko. “This is not a matter of political party or opinion. President Trump failed to convince Mexico, the American people or Congress to pay for his massive, misguided border wall. Now he's working feverishly to circumvent the will of the people and re-purpose funds meant to help house military families. This emergency declaration was made even though President Trump said himself that he ‘didn’t need to do this.’ Our vote today showed that we are unified across party, region and political persuasion in opposition to this President’s unprecedented and unconstitutional action. I urge the Senate to take up this measure immediately to stand up to executive overreach.”

Tonko is an original co-sponsor of the joint resolution.

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