Washington, D.C. – Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) made the following statement regarding today’s vote on Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s resolution to block President Trump’s southern border emergency declaration: 

“Since Congress gave emergency powers to the executive branch in 1976 under the National Emergencies Act, presidents from both political parties have declared national emergencies in the United States over situations far less dire than the security and humanitarian crisis that is currently plaguing the southern border. The President and Congress must take swift action to secure our border, protect our citizens, and defend our sovereignty. I support President Trump’s declaration of a national emergency and I reject the resolution of disapproval."

Background:
The National Emergencies Act has been used seventeen times by President Bill Clinton, twelve times by President George W. Bush, thirteen times by President Barack Obama, and three times by President Trump.