March 19, 2019

*-- Trump uses first veto to stop Congress from halting national emergency --*

President Donald Trump issued his first veto Friday, undoing the bipartisan effort to terminate his national emergency declaration at the southern border, arguing that the executive branch can bypass Congress in extreme circumstances.

The emergency declaration will likely stand as Congress doesn't have the votes to overturn a veto, but it still may face challenges in federal court.

"As president, the protection of the nation is my highest duty," Trump said. "Yesterday, Congress passed a dangerous resolution that if signed into law would put countless Americans in dangers, very grave danger."

pic.twitter.com/tEgQFkcMs1- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 15, 2019

Critics have said Trump's emergency declaration violates the Constitution because Congress has the power to control spending.

On March 26, the House will once again act to protect our Constitution and our democracy from the President's emergency declaration by holding a vote to override his veto. #FakeEmergency- Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) March 15, 2019

To overturn Trump's veto, at least two-thirds of both the Senate and House of Representatives would need to vote to do so. In the Democratic-controlled House, which passed the original measure 245-182 in February, a vote is set for March 26. The Republican-controlled Senate passed the original measure 59-41 Thursday.

Trump has maintained for months that billions of dollars are needed to build a barrier on the southern border to prevent an influx of drugs, criminals and trafficked migrants from Mexico. For months, there was a stalemate between Congress and Trump that partially shut down the government for 35 days, the longest shutdown in U.S. history.

On Jan. 25, Trump temporarily re-opened the government for three weeks hoping to work out a deal. When no deal came, Trump declared a national emergency on Feb. 15 to get the funding without congressional approval.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi assembled a bipartisan group to reverse the national emergency despite threats that Trump would veto it when it reached his desk.

"People hate the word 'invasion' but that's what it is," Trump said.

He also said anyone who votes to overturn the national emergency is "against reality."

I look forward to VETOING the just passed Democrat inspired Resolution which would OPEN BORDERS while increasing Crime, Drugs, and Trafficking in our Country. I thank all of the Strong Republicans who voted to support Border Security and our desperately needed WALL!- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 14, 2019

Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn. said he supported the resolution to overturn the emergency, saying this is a constitutional matter.

"Never before has a president asked for funding, Congress has not provided it, and the president then has used the National Emergencies Act of 1976 to spend the money anyway," Alexander said.