United States Senate Rejects President Trump's National Emergency Declaration

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The U.S. Congress on Thursday formally rejected President Donald Trump's national emergency declaration to fund border wall construction, as the Senate voted 59 to 41 to disapprove the executive action, weeks after the House of Representatives did the same.

Twelve Senate Republicans joined a unified Democratic caucus to pass the disapproval measure in the Republican-led chamber, defying the White House and ignoring a presidential veto threat.

"This is not a normal vote — this is not a normal day," said Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, noting Congress' first-ever official rejection of a national emergency declaration.

Maine Republican Sen. Susan Collins said she backed Trump's goal of beefing up security along the U.S.-Mexico border, but not his bid to bypass Congress.

"The president's action comes into direct conflict with Congress' authority to determine the appropriation of funds, a power vested in Congress by the framers of our Constitution," Collins said. "This issue is not about strengthening our border security, a goal that I support."

At the White House, Trump promised to respond.

"I look forward to VETOING the just passed Democrat inspired Resolution which would OPEN BORDERS while increasing Crime, Drugs, and Trafficking in our Country," the president tweeted.

That message was echoed by Republicans who voted against the disapproval measure.

"There's a clear border security and humanitarian crisis on the southern border of the United States," Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky said. "The president is operating within existing law, and the crisis on our border is all too real."

Arkansas Republican Sen. Tom Cotton said: "When hundreds of thousands of foreigners arrive at the southern border and demand entry, that's not migration. That's an emergency and a threat to our sovereignty."