Pallone Slams Trump’s Unconstitutional Declaration of a National Emergency

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 15, 2019



Washington, DC – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) released the following statement on President Trump’s announcement that he would be declaring a national emergency to build a border wall. The president’s emergency declaration and effort to steal billions of dollars in civil works programs, flood prevention and reconstruction projects, and military construction funds could impact more than $50 million specifically intended for New Jersey facilities at Picatinny Arsenal and Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst.

“President Trump’s declaration of a national emergency is based on lies and deception and is blatantly unconstitutional. This is not a dictatorship, although President Trump continues to act like a dictator. President Trump took an oath of office to uphold the Constitution. His actions in this case are a violation of that oath. That’s why I have co-sponsored a privileged resolution to terminate the president’s fake emergency under the National Emergencies Act.

“Our Founding Fathers gave the power of the purse to Congress and it is clear that the president either hasn’t read the Constitution or is simply willing to ignore our nation’s founding principles to get his way. Congress must immediately reassert its authority and do whatever is necessary to prevent the president from further trampling on the Constitution. I’ll be fighting the president’s actions on the floor of the House, through the courts and however else is necessary to restore our democracy, which may require his removal from office.

Pallone Statement on Government Funding Agreement and Possible Declaration of National Emergency

February 15, 2019
Press Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr (NJ-06) released the following statement on the funding agreement to keep the government open and the possibility that President Trump would build declare a national emergency to build his border wall.

“President Trump’s ridiculous demands for a costly and unnecessary border wall previously led to a shutdown that lasted for 35 days. While this agreement is far from perfect, it is a hard earned compromise that avoids another disastrous government shutdown for our country. The agreement makes important investments in our nation’s future and ensures that federal workers will continue to receive their paychecks while also giving them a well-deserved raise.

“Make no mistake, Democrats will fight President Trump’s declaration of a national emergency in Congress, the courts and wherever is necessary to prevent the president from trampling on the Constitution. Despite the president’s lies, there is no national emergency on our nation’s border and circumventing Congress on this issue will set a dangerous precedent that Republicans may very well regret.

“The wall is costly, impractical and unnecessary. Mexico is never going to pay for it, the American people don’t want it and declaring a national emergency to build it is illegal.”