Speaker Nancy Pelosi
Nancy PelosiSanders urges impeachment trial 'quickly' in the Senate Tech legal shield included in USMCA despite late Pelosi push GOP senator warns quick vote on new NAFTA would be 'huge mistake' MORE (D-Calif.) announced Thursday that the House will file a lawsuit to block President Trump
Donald John TrumpSanders urges impeachment trial 'quickly' in the Senate US sending 20,000 troops to Europe for largest exercises since Cold War Barr criticizes FBI, says it's possible agents acted in 'bad faith' in Trump probe MORE's national emergency declaration to build a wall along the southern border.
Nancy PelosiSanders urges impeachment trial 'quickly' in the Senate Tech legal shield included in USMCA despite late Pelosi push GOP senator warns quick vote on new NAFTA would be 'huge mistake' MORE (D-Calif.) announced Thursday that the House will file a lawsuit to block President TrumpDonald John TrumpSanders urges impeachment trial 'quickly' in the Senate US sending 20,000 troops to Europe for largest exercises since Cold War Barr criticizes FBI, says it's possible agents acted in 'bad faith' in Trump probe MORE's national emergency declaration to build a wall along the southern border.The move marks the latest effort by House Democrats to push back against Trump's use of federal money to construct a wall after lawmakers denied him those funds.
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"The President's action clearly violates the Appropriations Clause by stealing from appropriated funds, an action that was not authorized by constitutional or statutory authority," Pelosi said in a statement. "Congress, as Article I – the first branch, co-equal to the other branches – must reassert its exclusive responsibilities reserved by the text of the Constitution and protect our system of checks and balances."
Congress passed a resolution to terminate Trump's emergency declaration, but the House last week failed to meet the necessary two-thirds threshold to override the president's veto, the first of his presidency. Fourteen Republicans, mostly centrists, voted with Democrats in the veto override attempt.
Democrats are now turning to the judicial system.
"The House will once again defend our Democracy and our Constitution, this time in the courts," Pelosi said. "No one is above the law or the Constitution, not even the President."
The Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group — an entity compromised of congressional leadership that oversees the House general counsel's office — voted Thursday to authorize the lawsuit on behalf of House Democrats.
Multiple lawsuits have already been filed to stop Trump's emergency declaration, including one led by California Attorney General Xavier Becerra
Xavier BecerraCalifornia recovers M from auto parts makers' in bid rigging settlement Adam Schiff's star rises with impeachment hearings Facebook unveils market research app that pays users to take surveys MORE (D) on behalf of 16 states.
Xavier BecerraCalifornia recovers M from auto parts makers' in bid rigging settlement Adam Schiff's star rises with impeachment hearings Facebook unveils market research app that pays users to take surveys MORE (D) on behalf of 16 states. Pelosi and Rep. Joaquin Castro
Joaquin CastroPelosi faces tough choices on impeachment managers Hillicon Valley: Google to limit political ad targeting | Senators scrutinize self-driving car safety | Trump to 'look at' Apple tariff exemption | Progressive lawmakers call for surveillance reforms | House panel advances telecom bills Minority lawmakers call out Google for hiring former Trump DHS official MORE (D-Texas), the Congressional Hispanic Caucus chairman, said last week that they may force additional votes to block the emergency declaration, as is allowed every six months under the National Emergencies Act.
Joaquin CastroPelosi faces tough choices on impeachment managers Hillicon Valley: Google to limit political ad targeting | Senators scrutinize self-driving car safety | Trump to 'look at' Apple tariff exemption | Progressive lawmakers call for surveillance reforms | House panel advances telecom bills Minority lawmakers call out Google for hiring former Trump DHS official MORE (D-Texas), the Congressional Hispanic Caucus chairman, said last week that they may force additional votes to block the emergency declaration, as is allowed every six months under the National Emergencies Act."In six months, the Congress will have another opportunity to put a stop to this President’s wrongdoing. We will continue to review all options to protect our Constitution and our Democracy from the President’s assault," Pelosi and Castro said in a joint statement after the House failed to override Trump's veto.
