Trump Will Sign Immigration Bill to Prevent Government Shutdown
Written by Jeff Ramella on February 15, 2019
By Louis Biondolillo and AJ Melillo
WASHINGTON- President Donald J. Trump has declared a National Emergency and signed an Immigration bill to prevent a government shutdown on Friday morning. Congress passed a bill regarding immigration on Thursday that would prevent the government from going into the second partial shutdown in three weeks on Friday, February 15th. The bill included 1.375 billion dollars for “border barriers”; a fraction of the 5 billion dollars that Trump demanded from Congress.
The money allowed for border barriers could be used to construct 55 miles of a border wall. President Trump signed the bill, and issued a National Emergency for border security to allocate more funds to construct the wall.
“I will declare a National Emergency,” Trump said. “It has been done many times before.”
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on the senate floor said that he will support President Trump’s decision to sign the bill and declare a National Emergency.
Meanwhile other Republicans and Democrats came out against Trump declaring a national emergency.
“I think it’s ridiculous,” said Democratic Senator from California and Presidential Candidate Kamala Harris.
In the past, a national emergency has been declared for similar situations. President Bill Clinton declared a national emergency on October 21st, 1995 that blocked assets and prohibited transactions with Colombian Drug Cartels. President Barack Obama declared a national emergency on July 24th, 2011 that blocked the property of transnational crime organizations, including a travel ban, for organizations such as Los Zetas.
Many, including President Trump himself, believe that this declaration will be met in court.
