Chairman Yarmuth on President Biden’s Termination of Unwarranted National Emergency Declaration at the Southern Border

Washington, D.C.— Today, Kentucky Representative John Yarmuth, Chair of the House Budget Committee, issued the following statement after President Joe Biden formally terminated former President Donald Trump’s unwarranted declaration of a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border: 

“The Trump Administration manufactured a national emergency to siphon billions in congressionally appropriated funding to build an unnecessary and woefully ineffective border wall. This funding was supposed to be used to protect our troops and house military families, but instead was wasted on a dumb political stunt. This is only one example in a series of deliberate and disturbing steps taken by the previous Administration to abuse its power, undermine Congress, and circumvent our laws to cater to the whims of a now-twice-impeached President. 

“President Biden’s termination of this unwarranted emergency declaration is an important step forward for the restoration of our democratic institutions, but the executive branch alone cannot repair the damage the Trump Administration left in its wake. Congress must pass the Congressional Power of the Purse Act to protect Congress’ constitutional spending authority and safeguard our nation’s system of checks and balances: a responsibility that should be embraced by both sides of the aisle. I look forward to working with President Biden and an Administration that will respect Congress’ central role in funding decisions, as well as the rule of law.”

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