Political Quotes

“Thank you. Mr. President, later today, the Senate will make a significant decision with implications for our constitutional system of government. We will vote on a resolution to reverse the President's ill-advised national emergency declaration that funds the construction of a border wall using money that Congress has appropriated and the President has signed into law for other purposes, such as military construction. I want to thank Senator Udall, the Senator from New Mexico, for working together with me. We introduced a companion resolution to overturn the President's declaration, and I commend Senator Udall for his leadership. By declaring a national emergency, the President's action comes into direct conflict with Congress's authority to determine the appropriation of funds, a power vested in Congress by the Framers of our Constitution in article I, section 9. That is why this issue is not about strengthening our border security, a goal that I support and have voted to advance. Rather, it is a solemn occasion involving whether this body will stand up for its institutional prerogatives and will support the separation of powers enshrined in our Constitution. Throughout our history the courts have consistently held that ``only Congress is empowered by the Constitution to adopt laws directing monies to be spent from the U.S.…”