Bill of the Week: H.J.Res.46
Last month, President Donald Trump declared the “border crisis” a National Emergency, allowing him to divert federal funds towards his 2016 campaign promise.
Congress has taken note, and the House passed H.J.Res.46 late last month by a count of 245–182. H.J.Res.46 is a bill that would “terminate” the President’s National Emergency declaration.
The bill has moved to the Senate for a vote, and if passed, would travel to President Trump’s desk where it would most certainly be vetoed. Finally, it would return to Congress for an override vote who, quite frankly, doesn’t have the votes to force it into law.
I must say, President Trump is one of the few Presidents that has actually done everything in his power to make his main campaign promise a reality. Now, that hasn’t been without concessions, like Mexico paying for the wall and the general design of it. But at the end of the day, at least he is working towards fulfilling a promise he made to the American people.
A long-winded debate can be had on whether or not America needs the wall, but there is no debate about the slippery slope the President is creating with his declaration.
While border security is an important issue, National Emergencies should only be used in dire situations. Without a doubt, the President and his base of supporters believe the border wall is worthy of a National Emergency, but the American people don’t.
Our country isn’t a direct democracy, which renders the poll moot, but it does prove that a longer conversation about the wall needs to be had. For President Trump to circumvent due process for the wall is beyond dishonest.
The people realize what he is doing, but yet again, it will be up to Congress to do anything about it. Expect the bill to fail an override vote and allow President Trump to continue on the path of his declaration.
