On Senate Floor, Shaheen Urges Support for Bipartisan Resolution Blocking President's National "Emergency" Declaration to Protect Funding for Shipyard and NH National Guard

Senator Shaheen Speaking on the Senate Floor this Afternoon

**Senator Shaheen talks of the need to bolster ports of entry at our borders where most of illegal drugs enter the country**

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a member of both the Senate Armed Services and Appropriations Committees, spoke on the Senate floor this afternoon urging the Senate to pass a bipartisan resolution that would block President Trump’s so-called “emergency” declaration that will take funds from military construction projects to build his border wall, which could impact the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and the New Hampshire National Guard. 

“Congress did not provide these funds for a border wall that President Trump promised Mexico would pay for, rather we specifically allocated these resources to ensure that our military is ready and capable and that our service members receive the support they deserve,” said Shaheen in her remarks prior to the vote. “The President’s attempt to circumvent Congress by making the military pay for his border wall jeopardizes our national security and does a disservice to our men and women in uniform.” 

Shaheen drew attention to the threat to funding for construction projects at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and NH National Guard, “The resources that Congress has provided support military construction projects in New Hampshire and across the country. Those projects often provide necessary infrastructure improvements that enable our service members to accomplish their mission.” 

“These military construction projects in New Hampshire are at risk because President Trump wants to score political points by building a wall rather than focusing on the border security proposals that actually work.” 

Senator Shaheen recently led a New Hampshire Congressional Delegation letter to the President, urging him to reconsider this plan which could have an adverse impact on the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (PNSY) and the New Hampshire National Guard (NHNG). Shaheen also introduced a bipartisan joint resolution  with Senators Tom Udall (D-NM), Susan Collins (R-ME) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) to terminate the President’s national emergency declaration and uphold the separation of powers outlined in the Constitution, similar to the resolution being voted on today. 

Watch Shaheen’s remarks here.