U.S. Sen. Susan Collins was among ten Republican Senators who voted to terminate President Trump’s emergency declaration on the U.S.- Mexico border, a move aimed at stopping his shifting of money to build a wall.
The constitution gives Congress the sole power to spend, but it also gives the President the authority to shift money from budget accounts in an emergency.
“Stand up for the separation of powers laid out in our constitution,” says Collins about her vote.
The Senate and House earlier this year passed a similar resolution to terminate the emergency declaration, but President Trump vetoed it and there were not enough votes to override. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell predicts the President will veto this resolution as well, and that the veto will be sustained once again.
“I cannot support the President unilaterally deciding to take money that has been appropriated for one purpose and diverting those billions of dollars for another purpose,” Collins says.
Independent Sen. Angus King voted for the resolution, but did not debate the issue.
Originally published 2:07 p.m. Sept. 25, 2019
