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.
REIN in, not “reign.” Otherwise, good report; too bad Trump will stamp his little feet and threaten a veto. Anything that brings him closer to apoplexy is good with me.
I suppose we are trying to rain a bit on Trump’s reign. The more Republicans who vote against the emergency, the better. I will even accept the bizarre sense I get to have Lee be on the same side of an issue that I am.
Weird. Seeing as how Lee’s nose is continually eight inches deep into Cruz’s rectum, I wonder if Cruz will be doing so as well?
Remember Cruz? We used to get gushing articles about what a genius he was.
Send Pence to try to find a solution (fruitless effort, as always, because Trump’s gonna always backfire on them), Lee takes the lead for something ridiculous and embarrassing (allow defying the constitution this 1 time - with the “promise” not to do again).
Usually the third step is usually that the senator or rep put on the spot to embarrass himself (per taking an untenable stand to protect the president), wilts and goes along after stabbed in the back by Trump. Very interesting that this time the senator put on the spot - (at least temporarily) steels the spine to now stand against.
Very interesting development and change in the script that we have watched unfold over the past two years.
Don’t get too excited about the spotting of spines on Republican Senators. There are 53 Republican Senators and only 6 vissable spines.