Senate

Schumer says Dems plan to force future votes on Trump’s declaration

by Jordain Carney - 03/14/19 4:14 PM ET

Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) said Thursday that Democrats plan to force additional votes on President Trump’s emergency declaration on the U.S.-Mexico border wall.

“I believe the law allows us to bring it up every six months, and certainly we would intend to do that,” Schumer told reporters.

The Democratic leader’s comments came moments after the Senate passed the resolution of disapproval blocking Trump’s emergency declaration in a 59-41 vote. Trump quickly pledged to veto the measure — the first veto of his presidency — and neither chamber is expected to be able to override the veto.{mosads}

However, under the National Emergencies Act, Democrats can force additional votes on resolutions of disapproval blocking Trump every sixth months —prolonging the political headache for Republicans.

GOP senators have said they expect Democrats to take advantage of the law.

Pressed on why Democrats would continue to force votes if Trump was only going to veto them, Schumer brushed off the question, arguing that senators have a responsibility to challenge the White House when they feel like it is violating the Constitution’s separation of powers.

“The point of defending the checks and balances that the Founding Fathers put so exquisitely into our government? We’ve got to defend it 10 times even if they knock it down in hopes of winning the 11th,” he said.

Tags Chuck Schumer Donald Trump National Emergency declaration resolution of disapproval