Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chair Castro Remarks Ahead of Vote on Resolution to Terminate Trump’s Fake Emergency Declaration
– As Delivered – Click Here for Video
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 Committee, today made the following remarks at a press conference with Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Democrats ahead of tomorrow’s House vote on the privileged resolution that would terminate President Trump’s fake emergency declaration (H.J.Res. 46):
“Thank you, Madam Speaker. Thank you for your leadership and marshaling support on H.J. Res 46.
“About six weeks ago—when the rumors started that President Trump might declare a national emergency to build his border wall across the U.S.-Mexico border—my staff and I began working with Legislative Counsel to try to find a way to make sure that Congress would have a say in this matter.
“The result of that is H.J. Res 46, which would terminate the President’s declaration of a national emergency to build his border wall.
“Our country, since its founding, has become the most prosperous and powerful nation on earth without any wall. That’s why I believe most of the American people, and most people in my home state of Texas, disagree with the President building a wall across our border.
“The President consistently said that any wall would be paid for Mexico. Well, Mexico refused to pay. And Congress refused to pay. And so the President, rather than letting things be, decided he would act unilaterally, unconstitutionally, by usurping the power of Congress.
“Today we ask all members of Congress to respect the rule of law with us, to respect the separation of powers enshrined in our Constitution, and to support this resolution.
“If the President is successful in getting his way on this, rest assured he will come back. He will try this again, probably on other issues, as will future Presidents. The Congress must step up, must reclaim its role over the power of the purse.
“This resolution is critically important to the future of the relationship between the Legislative and Executive branches.
“Above and beyond any party, above and beyond any President, this will require historic unity—among members of Congress—to make sure that this branch of government maintains its rightful place under our Constitution.
“I want to say thank you to the now 230 Members of Congress who are cosponsors in the House of Representatives. We look forward to picking up more support, including bipartisan support, when we take the vote tomorrow. I want to thank Leader Pelosi, for moving swiftly to put this on the floor for a vote.
“I also look forward to the Senate taking a vote on this privileged resolution.
“There have been many Senators, Democrats, but also conservative Republicans, who have sounded the alarm about President Trump’s declaration. I hope that they will vote their conscience. That they for a moment will put the country above any worry of their own political concerns or futures. That is what is required of us now.
“With that, I’d like to bring up our esteemed leader from Maryland, Steny Hoyer.”
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