Maine Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins has joined Democratic Sen. Tom Udall, of New Mexico, in introducing a resolution to block President Donald Trump's emergency declaration to build a barrier at the U.S.-Mexico border.
Collins says the bipartisan senate resolution will uphold the separation of powers outlined in the U.S. Constitution.
“Throughout our history the courts have consistently held that quote, ‘only congress is empowered by the constitution to adopt laws directing monies to be spent from the U.S. Treasury,’” Collins says.
The resolution is identical to the House version that was approved Tuesday by a vote of 245-182.
Speaking on the Senate floor Thursday morning, Collins called Trump's emergency declaration "ill-advised."
She said the question before the Senate is not whether to support or oppose a wall, and not whether to support or oppose President Trump.
"Rather it is this: Do we want the executive branch, now or in the future, to hold the power that the founders deliberately entrusted to Congress?" Collins said.
There might be enough Republican support in the Senate to pass a resolution blocking Trump's order, though the next steps are unclear. Trump has pledged to veto the House resolution, and it's unlikely that Congress can override him.
Updated 3:18 p.m. Feb. 28, 2019