Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) announced Wednesday that he would vote to block the national emergency President Donald Trump declared to secure more funds for a border wall.
After Trump indicated earlier in the day that he would not support an effort by Lee to reign in presidential emergency powers somewhat, Lee said in a statement that, as a result, “I will be voting to terminate the latest emergency declaration.”
The Utah senator joins Senate Democrats and four of the chamber’s Republicans who’ve said they intend to vote against Trump’s declaration: Susan Collins (R-ME), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Rand Paul (R-KY).
A Democratic resolution to block the declaration passed the House of Representatives last month with 13 Republican votes. One Republican, Rep. Denver Riggleman (R-VA), falsely told dozens of constituents he’d voted to block the emergency, only to correct the claim after TPM pressed his office about the misinformation.
With a majority of the Senate planning on voting to defy the President, Trump appears destined to issue the first veto of his presidency — something the White House has indicated he’s prepared to do.
