Skip to main content
Tags: susan collins | backs | resolution | against | federal emergency

GOP's Collins Would Back Resolution Criticizing Emergency

GOP's Collins Would Back Resolution Criticizing Emergency

Wednesday, 20 February 2019 08:21 PM EST

Sen. Susan Collins said Wednesday that she would vote for a congressional resolution disapproving of President Donald Trump's emergency declaration to build a wall on the southern border, becoming the first Republican senator to publicly express support for such a measure.

The lawmaker from Maine said she would vote for a resolution as long as it focused only on the declaration.

The president's action "completely undermines" the role of Congress and is of "dubious constitutionality," she said, while attending a Coast Guard ceremony.

"If it's a 'clean' disapproval resolution, I will support it," she said.

Trump declared an emergency last week to obtain funding for the wall beyond the $1.4 billion Congress approved for border security. He has said he had a right to make the declaration in an effort to secure the border.

Trump's use of the emergency declaration has drawn bipartisan criticism, and 16 states have filed a lawsuit against the declaration.

"I do support the lawsuit that was filed by the states. That may be the quickest way to get an injunction that would halt this transfer of funds," she said.

Collins spoke at the Coast Guard facility in South Portland, where high-ranking officials were celebrating an upgraded command center for northern New England.

All told, $2.3 million was spent on upgrades to the 1,100-square-foot (100-square-meter) command center with new communication equipment, electronics and generators, all of which will help the Coast Guard to respond to maritime distress calls.

Joining Collins at the ribbon-cutting was Vice Adm. Scott Buschman, Atlantic commander based in Portsmouth, Virginia; Rear Adm. Andrew Tiongson, district commander in Boston; and Capt. Brian LeFebvre, commander in the northern New England sector.

Collins said she supports improvements to help the Coast Guard to better interdict drugs, respond to environmental threats, and to ensure maritime safety.

Noting that Coast Guard personnel went without pay during the recent government shutdown, Collins said she co-sponsored legislation to ensure that the Coast Guard will never again be the only uniformed military branch that is not paid under such circumstances.

© Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


Politics
Sen. Susan Collins said Wednesday that she would vote for a congressional resolution disapproving of President Donald Trump's emergency declaration to build a wall on the southern border, becoming the first Republican senator to publicly express support for such a...
susan collins, backs, resolution, against, federal emergency
340
2019-21-20
Wednesday, 20 February 2019 08:21 PM
Newsmax Media, Inc.

Sign up for Newsmax’s Daily Newsletter

Receive breaking news and original analysis - sent right to your inbox.

(Optional for Local News)
Privacy: We never share your email address.
Join the Newsmax Community
Read and Post Comments
Please review Community Guidelines before posting a comment.
 
TOP

Interest-Based Advertising | Do not sell or share my personal information

Newsmax, Moneynews, Newsmax Health, and Independent. American. are registered trademarks of Newsmax Media, Inc. Newsmax TV, and Newsmax World are trademarks of Newsmax Media, Inc.

NEWSMAX.COM
America's News Page
© Newsmax Media, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
Download the Newsmax App
NEWSMAX.COM
America's News Page
© Newsmax Media, Inc.
All Rights Reserved