President Trump is vowing to veto a resolution introduced by House democrats last Friday. This resolution is trying to block the national emergency—which pushes for $8 billion dollars in funding for the border wall.
We spoke with political science professor, Dr. Robert Velez, on who has the power to distribute funds.
[su_quote]“The executive [branch] doesn’t have that power. You’re dealing with a co-equal branch, and when one branch doesn’t give you the money you want it’s strictly in the Constitution that the congress has the power of the purse. They’re the ones who appropriate money.”
-Robert Velez, Political science Lecturer I[/su_quote]
Texas Democrat and author of the resolution, Joaquin Castro says that 226 lawmakers are supporting the resolution.
This means it has enough support to pass the resolution through the House. Velez tells UTRGV Radio News that the definition of “emergency” is in the eye of the beholder.
UTRGV Radio News also spoke with Criminal justice major, Julie Mejia on whether she believes a national emergency was necessary.
[su_quote]Living by the border for 21 years, i don’t think there has been a change in the amount of danger. How is now considered an emergency compared to the past years?”
-Julie Mejia, Criminal justice junior[/su_quote]
Sixteen states filed a lawsuit against Donald Trump’s national emergency last Monday. California Attorney General Xavier Becerra says that Trump’s action violates the Constitution.
Velez explains why he thinks the Supreme Court will allow the government to take land.
[su_quote]”So, despite the fact that we have conservative court, they have at least in the past indicated that they are okay with the government taking the land for public use and if the federal government is going to build a wall that sure sounds like public use.”
-Robert Velez, Political science Lecturer I[/su_quote]
The democratic controlled House expects to see the passing of the resolution sometime this week.
