Senators from both parties offer resolution to nix Trump emergency declaration to build wall

A bipartisan group of senators introduced a resolution on Wednesday to nix President Trump’s emergency declaration allowing him to build a border wall. 

The resolution, from Sens. Tom Udall (D-N.M.), Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), would block Trump from shifting funds for military construction to building his wall. Collins is a top Democratic target in the 2020 elections.  

{mosads}Trump campaigned on building the wall and is determined to show progress to his base as he seeks another four years in office next year.

He issued the emergency declaration after a government shutdown that ended earlier this year failed to move Democrats on providing funds for the wall.

The new resolution from Democrats comes as senators prepare to force a vote this month to undo Trump’s use of the emergency powers. 

The Senate previously voted to nix the emergency declaration in March, when the same group of senators also offered the resolution to block the decision. Under the National Emergencies Act lawmakers can force a vote every six months. 

“New Mexico just lost $125 million in military construction funding and millions more could be at risk if this so-called emergency goes on unchecked. We must continue to stand up in a bipartisan way to block the president from circumventing Congress and stepping on the separation of powers,” Udall said in a statement.

The Pentagon announced last week that it was moving forward with the plan to shift $3.6 billion in military construction toward the wall, following up on Trump’s decision to declare a national emergency.