Congressman Pappas reacts to President Trump’s national state of emergency declaration

Washington, D.C. – Today President Trump formally announced his intention to declare a national emergency to secure the funding necessary to construct a border wall. The president referenced diversion of resources away from efforts to combat the opioid crisis and the military construction budget.

"Keeping our country and our communities safe must be our top priority, which is why last night I voted for a bipartisan government funding package that meets critical needs," said Congressman Pappas. "President Trump has now announced he will make an end run around Congress and this thoughtful agreement by declaring a national emergency so he can raid other funds to build his unpopular border wall. This is not how democracy works, and the President's action will siphon key resources away from the opioid epidemic response and military construction projects. We have too many real crises to justify funding a manufactured one, especially when it means violating the system of checks and balances our founders established."

Yesterday Congressman Pappas voted with a strong bipartisan majority in favor of a package to end the threat of another shutdown that included additional investments in evidence-based border security measures, infrastructure, and other key priorities. The bill is on President Trump's desk, and he plans to sign it into law.