.@senatemajldr: “I’ve just had an opportunity to speak with President Trump…he’s prepared to sign the bill. He will also be issuing a national emergency declaration at the same time.” pic.twitter.com/iukGKjmoZ8
— CSPAN (@cspan) February 14, 2019
Although President Trump will sign the border security compromise package to avert another partial government shutdown, the White House announced he will declare a national emergency simultaneously to obtain the necessary funding for the border wall. (Fox 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,” White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said in a statement. “The president is once again delivering on his promise to build the wall, protect the border, and secure our great country.”
The announcement came as the Senate prepared to vote Thursday afternoon on the compromise bill. The House is expected to take up the package later Thursday.
Lawmakers have until 11:59 p.m. Friday to get the agreement through both houses of Congress and signed by Trump before several Cabinet-level departments shut down and hundreds of thousands of federal workers are furloughed in what would be the second partial government shutdown this year.
Sanders told reporters at the White House there will be an announcement later about where the money will come from and how they allocate it. She said the White House is working on those details.
Sanders said the administration is prepared for every possibility. At her weekly news conference, Speaker Pelosi hinted she may file a legal challenge to try to stop Trump.
Pelosi says she may file a legal challenge if Trump declares a national emergency pic.twitter.com/wtCBwdy1n7
— TicToc by Bloomberg (@tictoc) February 14, 2019