[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 37 (Thursday, February 28, 2019)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E228]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




TERMINATION OF NATIONAL EMERGENCY DECLARED BY THE PRESIDENT ON FEBRUARY 
                                15, 2019

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                       HON. EDDIE BERNICE JOHNSON

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, February 26, 2019

  Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, after failing to get federal 
funding for his ineffective and overpriced border wall, President Trump 
has declared a national emergency at our southern border to try and 
sidestep Congress's constitutional authority so he can fulfill a 
campaign promise.
  After the President shut down the government for 35 days, my 
colleagues and I came to an agreement that wisely invested in effective 
solutions to secure the border. Some of these solutions included 
infrastructure improvements at ports of entry, the hiring of additional 
immigration judges and technology enhancements to detect border 
crossings. Clearly, with this national emergency declaration, the 
president and his administration would rather stick to a slogan than 
actually secure the border.
  The emergency declaration signed by the president would rob taxpayer 
money from high priority military construction projects, including 
projects in the state of Texas, and instead redirects that funding 
towards his pet project. This egregious misuse of taxpayer funds leaves 
our country less safe by denying military personal the essential 
training, readiness and quality of life necessary for them to do their 
job.
  This unlawful action by the President cannot be tolerated. I urge my 
colleagues to vote in favor of this joint resolution of disapproval so 
that we can do our solemn duty and uphold the Constitution.

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