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Rep. Chip Roy Vote On National Emergency Declaration

February 26, 2019

WASHINGTON—Rep. Chip Roy released the following statement Tuesday evening regarding his vote on H.J. Res 46, relating to a national emergency declared by the President

Today, I am voting "no" because I believe we have an emergency at our border and consideration of disapproval is premature.

The President is correct to focus intently on securing our border and he should take the steps necessary within the laws of the United States to do so. We have an emergency at our border, and unlike Congress, the President recognizes it. In addition to utilizing statutory authority and funds clearly available separate from an Emergency declaration, the President has the authority to respond to an emergency and Congress should review the nature of the response when he does.

We must also work together to ensure Congress retains its proper Constitutional role to appropriate funds. Like many of my colleagues, I am troubled by the amount of authority Congress has granted to the Executive Branch. Long term policy choices like building a fence on our border should be expressly funded by Congress.

I would prefer to have debated this longer, and more fully, with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to reach consensus on structural reforms to the National Emergencies Act and related statutes to ensure that proper limits are put in place, no matter who sits in the Oval Office.

Robert Donachie | Communications Director for Congressman Chip Roy (R-TX)
1319 Longworth House Office Building | Washington, DC 20515
(202) 225-4236 | (202) 870-6303 (c)