Republicans who oppose trump's 'border emergency' fear a democratic president having the same powers

[spanone]

.....alá Lamar Alexander

Dear Spanone,

Thanks for getting in touch with me and letting me know what’s on your mind regarding border security and President Trump’s announcement of a national emergency at our Southern border on February 15, 2019.

The president has made a strong case for increased border security, but declaring a national emergency is unnecessary, unwise, and inconsistent with the U.S. Constitution. It is unnecessary because significant additional money has been approved by Congress already that he could spend on border security without declaring a national emergency. In fact, the president announced on February 15 that he would spend $3 billion of this additional funding to fund construction of the border wall. This $3 billion is in addition to the $22 billion Congress appropriated on February 14, 2019, for detention beds, technology, border patrol agents, ports of entry, replacing existing wall and 55 miles of new wall.

It is unwise because if this president can declare a national emergency to build a wall, the next president can declare a national emergency to tear it down; or declare a climate change emergency to close coal plants and build wind turbines; or a health care emergency and force into Medicare the 180 million Americans with health insurance on the job.

It is inconsistent with the U.S. Constitution because, after the American Revolution against a king, our founders chose not to create a chief executive with the power to tax the people and spend their money any way he chooses. The Constitution gives that authority exclusively to a Congress elected by the people.

I believe that Congress must continue to work with the president to secure the border in a thoughtful, cost-effective way. I’ll be sure to keep your comments in mind as these issues are discussed and debated in Washington and in Tennessee.

Sincerely,
Lamar

[Iliyah]

1. "fear"

Not that opposing it would be the right thing to do.

[spanone]

2. Of course not!

[dsc]

3. actually the fear in this case is the correct reason to oppose this

I oppose the wall because it is a bad, dumb idea, but I oppose the emergency because it gives the President virtually unlimited power which itself is a bad idea.

[chowder66]

4. My take is that their fear is that the dems would do something Americans would like and benefit

from. Once people like something it's hard as hell to change their minds for something less.

[ffr]

5. I'll be working specifically towards that aim, in case they are wondering.

Two can play at this game.

FUCK REPUBLICANS. They're nothing but stupid traitors!