Ryan Co-Sponsors Resolution Opposing Trump Emergency Declaration

WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan signed on Friday as an original co-sponsor of a privileged resolution introduced Friday terminating President Donald Trump’s invocation of the National Emergencies Act for the border wall.

Ryan, D-13 Ohio, was among more than 220 House Democrats and one Republican who co-sponsored the privileged resolution, which was introduced by U.S. Rep. JoaquinCastro, D-20 Texas.

Trump issued the emergency declaration last week after Congress approved legislation to prevent an impending partial federal government shutdown that only provided $1.4 billion for border security, far less than the $5.7 billion h had demanded for a wall along the southern U.S. border. The declaration would allow the president to tap into other appropriated but unexpended funds to pay for his proposed wall.  

Ryan, in a news release Friday, cited Article 1, Section 9 of the U.S. Constitution, which states that “No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequences of Appropriations made by Law,” giving Congress “the power of the purse,” he said.

“President Trump’s declaration of a national emergency for an ineffective, expensive wall subverts that power of Congress and undermines our constitution,” he said. “There is no national emergency. And as a member of the Military Construction committee, it’s outrageous the president is taking 35% of the Mil Con budget that’s supposed to fund military projects, housing, and facilities.

“The President cannot be allowed to continue this political charade, and I join my colleagues in blocking Trump’s emergency declaration,” he continued.

When the House is back in session next week, a Ryan spokesman said the congressman hopes Speaker Nancy Pelosi will “swiftly” bring the resolution to the House floor for a vote.