Congressman Boyle Joins Resolution to Stop President Trump’s Unlawful Emergency Declaration
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Brendan F. Boyle (PA-02) joined more than 225 Members of Congress to cosponsor a resolution to nullify President Trump's unlawful, dangerous emergency declaration at the southern border in order to build his border wall without congressional approval. Such action could steal up to $164 million of Pennsylvania's Department of Defense military construction funds, which were intended for the security of our nation and the well-being of our men and women in uniform. $71 million could come from Philadelphia projects.
This privileged resolution, H.J. Res. 46, would terminate the President's declaration of an emergency under the authority provided in the National Emergencies Act (NEA). The House plans to pass the resolution tomorrow, after which it will be sent to the Senate for passage with a simple majority within 18 days, and then to the President's desk.
"The President's emergency declaration was a desperate power grab that violates the Constitution and makes America less safe," said Congressman Boyle. "This is a clear abuse of power to serve the President's political agenda after he failed to convince Congress to pay for his ineffective, wasteful, multi-billion wall. Our system of checks and balances under the Constitution provides Congress with the spending authority for the purpose of preventing any one leader from operating against the public interest. This is exactly what we're seeing today – and military families across the country stand to pay the price."
The President's emergency declaration undermines the training, readiness, and quality of life of our military and their families by potentially targeting the following high-priority construction initiatives in Pennsylvania:
- Philadelphia: Submarine Propulsor Manufacturing Support Facility
- Pittsburgh: Reserve Training Center
- Pittsburgh: C-17 Construct Two Bay Corrosion/Fuel Hangar
- Pittsburgh: C-17 ADAL Fuel Hydrant System
- Pittsburgh: C-17 Construct and Overlay Taxiway and Apron
- Fort Indiantown Gap: Replace Operations Training/Dining Hall
"This issue transcends politics. It is about patriotism," continued Congressman Boyle. "I am proud to join my colleagues – 224 Democrats and one Republican – as a cosponsor of this resolution defending our Constitution and the system of checks and balances our Founding Fathers laid out to prevent the tyranny of a unilateral executive. Pennsylvania families deserve no less."
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