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Statement on the President's Emergency Declaration to Fund Border Wall

Washington, DC, February 15, 2019
“As a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, I’m concerned about protecting the spending power of Congress. And as an American, I’m really concerned about the constitutionality of this kind of declaration, as it threatens one of the core pillars of our republic: the separation of powers.”

Congressman Matt Cartwright released the following statement on Friday after President Trump announced that he would issue an emergency declaration to build a wall on the southern U.S. border:

“This is not a smart move,” said Congressman Cartwright, a member of the Appropriations Committee. “Democrats and Republicans worked hard to reach a bipartisan deal to keep our government open, one that would strengthen and invest in border security in effective ways.”

“As a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, I’m concerned about protecting the spending power of Congress.  And as an American, I’m really concerned about the constitutionality of this kind of declaration, as it threatens one of the core pillars of our republic: the separation of powers.”