Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell announced Thursday afternoon President Trump will sign the latest funding and border security bill in addition to declaring a national emergency. The White House has also confirmed the news.
“President Trump will sign the government funding bill and, as he has stated before, he will also take other executive action - including a national emergency - to ensure we stop the national security and humanitarian crisis at the border. The President is once again delivering on his promise to build the wall, protect the border and secure our great country,” White House Press Secretary Sarah Sander released in a statement.
BREAKING: Pres. Trump will sign compromise bill, will also issue national emergency declaration, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says. pic.twitter.com/MI9yFT26os
— Evan McMurry (@evanmcmurry) February 14, 2019
McConnell on the floor. Says he spoke to Trump. Trump says will sign the bill. McConnell says he will support a national emergency
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) February 14, 2019
The spending deal provides $1.3 billion for 55 miles of border barrier and another $1 billion for new technology at ports of entry.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is already criticizing President Trump’s move on executive action.
Pelosi:
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) February 14, 2019
Today we will keep government open.When the President declares the emergency, it’s not an emergency
Pelosi:
The President is doing an end run around Congress
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham is backing the move.
There is money available to President @realDonaldTrump in the current budget to move around and help build the wall.
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) February 14, 2019
We’d be stupid as a party not to stand behind him. ....I can’t think of a better issue to define the Democrat and Republican Party than this.#BuildTheWall pic.twitter.com/drMnkIbCFp
This story has been updated with additional information.