US Senate rejects Trump’s border emergency as Republicans defect

TIL Desk/World/Washington/ In a stunning rebuke to Donald Trump, a dozen Republican senators broke party ranks and sided with Democrats to terminate the United States president’s declaration of a national emergency on America’s border with Mexico.

In a 59-41 vote, 12 Republicans joined every Senate Democrat on Thursday in a rare move to block the president’s effort to divert billions in funding to build his long-promised border wall without congressional approval. The Democratic-controlled House of Representatives last month backed the measure.

The Republicans joined Democrats in voting down the emergency, arguing that the president had exceeded his powers in trying to build a border wall over Congress’ objections, the New York Times reported. Following the vote, President Trump tweeted, “VETO!”Trump slammed the vote, calling it a “Democrat-inspired Resolution”

“I look forward to VETOING the just passed Democrat inspired Resolution which would OPEN BORDERS while increasing Crime, Drugs, and Trafficking in our Country,” he said in a tweet. “I thank all of the Strong Republicans who voted to support Border Security and our desperately needed WALL!” Trump said.