April 04, 2019

Castro Statement on Lawsuit to Block Trump’s Emergency Declaration

WASHINGTON—Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, Vice Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and a member of the House Intelligence and Education and Labor Committees, released the following statement today in response to the House filing a lawsuit to block President Trump’s national emergency declaration to build a wall along the southern border:

“When the President threatened to declare an emergency to unilaterally build a border wall, we committed to defending our constitution by fighting this unprecedented act. Today’s lawsuit is a fulfillment of that promise, as we take this constitutional threat straight to the courts. Congress, as a co-equal branch of government, will not stand back and allow its constitutional authority to be usurped by the President. The implications for our system of checks and balance is too great. Both chambers of Congress – a Republican Senate and Democratic House – voted to pass my resolution, H.J. Res 46, and protect Congress’ power of the purse. The President’s declaration would also lead to the largest federal taking of Texas land in United States history. We will stand up for Texas landowners affected by the President’s actions.”

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