Shaheen Statement on House Passage of Resolution Blocking President Trump’s “Emergency” Declaration

VIDEO: Today in Capitol Press Conference, Shaheen Speaks Out Against Diverting Funding From National Security Priorities for Trump’s Border Wall

(Washington, DC)—U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) issued the following statement after the House of Representatives passed a resolution by a vote of 245 to 182 to prevent the President from implementing his national emergency declaration to construct additional barriers along the southern border, which would be funded by reallocating funding that has been specifically appropriated by Congress for military construction projects and drug interdiction programs. 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 is a member of both the Senate Armed Services and Appropriations Committees. 

“There are many very real and present military threats from our adversaries, like Russia, China, Iran and North Korea, which is why the President’s declaration to pull critical funding from defense construction projects to pay for his border wall is so dangerous,” said Shaheen. “The funding President Trump is trying to redirect could come from important projects at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and the New Hampshire National Guard – that’s unacceptable. I hope we can move quickly on this resolution in the Senate and that there will be a strong bipartisan vote.” 

Senator Shaheen, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, fought to secure the funding for these PNSY and NHNG priorities in spending legislation that was signed into law in September.