Providing for Consideration of H.J. Res. Termination of National Emergency Declared By the President on February 2019

Floor Speech

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Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the rule and the underlying resolution.

We should be absolutely clear: There is no crisis at our border. In fact, apprehensions of illegal border crossings are at a 40-year low. This is a fake emergency being used as a pretext for Donald Trump to build a monument to hate on our southern border.

But this is more than that. This administration's actions would do violence to our Constitution, undermine our separation of powers, and set a terrible precedent for the future. Every single Member of Congress, regardless of party, needs to stand up and make their voice heard.

To all my Republican colleagues who so frequently extolled the Constitution's virtues, I say to you: Make your voice heard today. Now is the chance to show your true colors, to defend Article I, and to stand up for Congress' constitutionally vested powers of the purse.

Vote ``yes'' on the rule; vote ``yes'' on the resolution; stand up for the Constitution; and reject this illegal power grab by this President.

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