Trump pressures GOP senators ahead of emergency declaration vote: ‘Be strong and smart’

by Chris Mills Rodrigo - 02/25/19 8:31 AM ET

President Trump on Monday put pressure on GOP senators ahead of a vote on his national emergency declaration, urging them to be “strong and smart” and avoid falling into “the Democrats ‘trap.’ “

{mosads}”I hope our great Republican Senators don’t get led down the path of weak and ineffective Border Security,” the president wrote in a tweet.

“Without strong Borders, we don’t have a Country – and the voters are on board with us. Be strong and smart, don’t fall into the Democrats ‘trap’ of Open Borders and Crime!”

I hope our great Republican Senators don’t get led down the path of weak and ineffective Border Security. Without strong Borders, we don’t have a Country – and the voters are on board with us. Be strong and smart, don’t fall into the Democrats “trap” of Open Borders and Crime!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 25, 2019

Trump earlier this month declared a national emergency to divert funds from various agencies to use to construct his proposed wall along the U.S.-Mexico Border. The move came after the president signed a spending bill that fell well short of offering the $5.7 billion he had been demanding.

The House is expected to vote on a resolution on Tuesday that would block the declaration.

Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) said in a Thursday statement that Senate Democrats would introduce a companion resolution “soon.” Democrats would need to win over four Republicans to get the necessary votes to block the move, but it would face a veto from Trump.

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said Friday that he expects a “handful” of Republicans to back the measure, but not enough to overturn a veto.

Trump said Friday that he would veto the measure if it reaches his desk.

“Will I veto it? 100 percent. 100 percent,” he said. “And I don’t think it survives a veto.”