Speaker Nancy Pelosi
Nancy PelosiPelosi says Trump sanctions package on Turkey 'falls very short' Graham throws support behind Trump's Turkey sanctions Feehery: Trump may be down, but he's not out yet MORE (D-Calif.) announced Thursday that the House will file a lawsuit to block President Trump
Donald John TrumpBusiness school deans call for lifting country-specific visa caps Bolton told ex-Trump aide to call White House lawyers about Ukraine pressure campaign: report Federal prosecutors in New York examining Giuliani business dealings with Ukraine: report MORE's national emergency declaration to build a wall along the southern border.
Nancy PelosiPelosi says Trump sanctions package on Turkey 'falls very short' Graham throws support behind Trump's Turkey sanctions Feehery: Trump may be down, but he's not out yet MORE (D-Calif.) announced Thursday that the House will file a lawsuit to block President TrumpDonald John TrumpBusiness school deans call for lifting country-specific visa caps Bolton told ex-Trump aide to call White House lawyers about Ukraine pressure campaign: report Federal prosecutors in New York examining Giuliani business dealings with Ukraine: report 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 BecerraTrump administration ends five-year oil and gas drilling moratorium in California Feds won't pursue charges against Sacramento officers who fatally shot Stephon Clark Overnight Energy: 17 states sue Trump over weakening of Endangered Species Act | Federal land agency chief releases 17-page recusal list | UN climate report warns of warming oceans, sea level rise MORE (D) on behalf of 16 states.
Xavier BecerraTrump administration ends five-year oil and gas drilling moratorium in California Feds won't pursue charges against Sacramento officers who fatally shot Stephon Clark Overnight Energy: 17 states sue Trump over weakening of Endangered Species Act | Federal land agency chief releases 17-page recusal list | UN climate report warns of warming oceans, sea level rise MORE (D) on behalf of 16 states. Pelosi and Rep. Joaquin Castro
Joaquin CastroThe Hill's Campaign Report: Impeachment fight to take center stage at Dem debate The Hill's Campaign Report: Warren, Sanders overtake Biden in third-quarter fundraising Joaquin Castro volunteers to play his brother on 'SNL' 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 CastroThe Hill's Campaign Report: Impeachment fight to take center stage at Dem debate The Hill's Campaign Report: Warren, Sanders overtake Biden in third-quarter fundraising Joaquin Castro volunteers to play his brother on 'SNL' 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.
