U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN) joined Democrats in voting against President Donald Trump’s declaration of a national emergency to build the border wall and likened the president to King George III who was king of England during the American Revolution.
Alexander was one of 12 Republican senators to join Democrats in a 59-41 vote against the president, The Washington Examiner said. Trump said he would veto the measure. Last month, 13 Republicans joined Democrats in the House to vote against Trump’s declaration.
The Senate Republicans said Trump’s use of a declaration of a national emergency would open the doors for Democratic presidents to use the measure to push gun control or fight climate change.
In a series of tweets, Alexander defended his break with the president.
One tweet said, “I support the president on border security. I have urged him to build the 234 miles of border wall he has asked for in the fastest possible way by using $5.7 billion already approved by Congress.”
I support the president on border security. I have urged him to build the 234 miles of border wall he has asked for in the fastest possible way by using $5.7 billion already approved by Congress.
— Lamar Alexander (@SenAlexander) March 14, 2019
Alexander said, “But his declaration to take an additional $3.6 billion that Congress has appropriated for military hospitals, barracks and schools is inconsistent with the U.S. Constitution that I swore an oath to support and defend.”
But his declaration to take an additional $3.6 billion that Congress has appropriated for military hospitals, barracks and schools is inconsistent with the U.S. Constitution that I swore an oath to support and defend.
— Lamar Alexander (@SenAlexander) March 14, 2019
Another tweet said, “Never before has a president asked for funding, Congress has not provided it, and the president then has used the National Emergencies Act of 1976 to spend the money anyway.”
Never before has a president asked for funding, Congress has not provided it, and the president then has used the National Emergencies Act of 1976 to spend the money anyway.
— Lamar Alexander (@SenAlexander) March 14, 2019
Then, Alexander compared Trump to King George III: “The problem with this is that after a Revolutionary War against a king, our nation’s founders gave to Congress the power to approve all spending so that the president would not have too much power. This check on the executive is a crucial source of our freedom.”
The problem with this is that after a Revolutionary War against a king, our nation’s founders gave to Congress the power to approve all spending so that the president would not have too much power. This check on the executive is a crucial source of our freedom.
— Lamar Alexander (@SenAlexander) March 14, 2019
Alexander’s colleague, U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), who voted for Trump’s declaration, dismissed claims that Democratic presidents would gain greater powers with the emergency declarations.
“The National Emergencies Act has been used seventeen times by President Bill Clinton, twelve times by President George W. Bush, thirteen times by President Barack Obama, and three times by President Trump,” Blackburn said in a press release.
Blackburn tweeted her response here.
I'm voting no today. My statement: https://t.co/GGzbpX8OjQ pic.twitter.com/XIbkywSipe
— Sen. Marsha Blackburn (@MarshaBlackburn) March 14, 2019
Blackburn said, “Since Congress gave emergency powers to the executive branch in 1976 under the National Emergencies Act, presidents from both political parties have declared national emergencies in the United States over situations far less dire than the security and humanitarian crisis that is currently plaguing the southern border. The President and Congress must take swift action to secure our border, protect our citizens, and defend our sovereignty. I support President Trump’s declaration of a national emergency and I reject the resolution of disapproval.”
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Jason M. Reynolds has more than 20 years’ experience as a journalist at outlets of all sizes.
Photo “Marsha Blackburn” by Marsha Blackburn.
He wont be getting my vote when he is up for re election. i cant stand the guy anyway! #BUILDTHEWALL
In case you haven’t noticed, he is not seeking re-election, instead he is retiring at the end of this term. Perhaps we can elect a true conservative to the “open seat.” But, of the two who have declared as Republicans, one is a former Ambassador to Japan and a former finance guy for Mitt Romney (this is Trump’s hand-picked choice); and the other is a Nashville Doctor. Neither has held public office before, and therefore we have little upon which to form an opinion as to whether either of them is a “true” conservative.
I will never support Lamar Alexander again. Get out of office please. The sooner the better. I have overlooked you in some things, but this did it with me. No more. You should not have jumped the ship. Bad move.
We should do whatever means available to get the wall build. Amerrd ica needs help in keeping the illegal traits out of our country. I am tired of America being pimped out for personal gain.
Americans need to step up and remove from office any politician that does not have Americas best interest at heart. President Trump has done more for Americas best interest tan another president has done in a very long time. Personal financial gain is not of interest to him. I beleive he trully lives America. America lets stop America being pimped out. Uphold the laws of our Constitution. Show ourthe world we love America. Dont let the death of all our soldiers be in vain. Honor them, support them, don’t forget them. Make America GREAT AGAIN.
[…] Alexander joined 11 other Republican senators Thursday in voting against Trump’s declaration and likened the president to King George III who was king of England during the American Revolution, The Tennessee Star reported. […]
Mr. Alexander, please read Marsha Blackburn’s statement on the vote, as she understands what is at stake here and you obviously do not. No, Congress did not give the President the $5.7 bil he asked for, you only gave him a fraction of that. Why is there no such thing as a DINO, why is it always the Republicans who defect and betray their party and their constituents, not to mention their own president and their country?
Why does Congress insist on supporting illegals at the expense of American citizens and taxpayers? A few days ago another woman was murdered by an illegal IN HER OWN HOME, look up Bambi Larson in San Jose, just sitting at home with her dog and cat, he broke in and stabbed her, many of these offenders have been arrested/deported many times, but oh well, not a problem to Lamar or all the others who have to take a stand against the president on some “principle,” God knows what that principle actually is. What is wrong with you?
Thank you Marsha Blackburn!!
Alexander Hamilton, Federalist Papers No. 29, he wrote,
“Since the fear of the people was that the federal army would usurp the people’s liberty, it makes sense that the intent is for the people to be allowed to keep and bear arms at all times”.
Why is it him and others doesn’t figure the “Second Amendment” is “a crucial source of our freedom”???
Leopards can’t change their spots, neither can “RINOs”.
Right, Sim! Furthermore, the Federal Government has NO enumerated delegated for gun control laws pertaining to the People, but only for those , “such part of them”, (the Militia) it EMPLOYS. (Article I, Section 8.16) Because, according to the clear wording of the 10th Amendment, without enumerated delegated powers, the Federal Government may lawfully do NOTHING.
“Besides the advantage of being armed, which the Americans possess over the people of almost every other nation.. (where) ..the governments are afraid to trust the people with arms.” – James Madison (Federalist Papers #46).
By the way, it was James Madison who wrote the Constitution of the United States.
Time for our Senior Senator of Tennessee to Retire
“The Senate Republicans said Trump’s use of a declaration of a national emergency would open the doors for Democratic presidents to use the measure to push gun control or fight climate change.”
If you senators were that concerned about the opposition, why in heaven’s name did you take a stand against Barrack when he wanted to GIVE AWAY 1.7 Billion…THAT’s BILLION with a “B” in cash to our enemy Iran? But no, you guys cannot get out of your own way and I am sick of it. You all can take your vote and shove it where the sun don’t shine!
Alexander, when does your term expire? Not soon enough!
Which, if any, of the 20 or so “national emergencies” by Obama and Bush did Sen. Alexander oppose? And is he calling for the repeal of the 1976 law which allowed these?
No surprise here. Alexander is an open borders advocate.
I wonder how his defenders are going to attempt to spin this betrayal.
Not for his property or where he lives would he be for open borders…or doors. These politicians like him, do NOT lead by example. They do not treat their country or their own people like they treat themselves. He says he has Constitutional concerns about too much Presidential power. Well good, then work to REPEAL the 1976 National Emergencies Act. Maybe he’s not read Article IV, Section 4: “The United States SHALL guarantee to every State in this Union a republican form of government and SHALL PROTECT EACH OF THEM AGAINST INVASION;…” So the President is using the law for a specific Constitutional duty which the government SHALL DO!!!!
It’s unfortunate that Sen. Alexander voted against the wishes of the President. While I do see his point, the legislative branch needs to grasp reality and pass meaningful legislation to stop the flood of people who what want to get into America. We cannot afford to be the lifeboat for the rest of the world.
I really can’t see Alexander’s logic on this matter.
All Lamar confirms is he is a “Never Trumper”!!!! Shame on you for not backing our GOP Leadership in support of building the Wall and following the will of Tennesseans who voted for Trump. You should resign immediately!!! The truth my fellow Tennesseans, Lamar Alexander would rather see THE WALL build with the marble TOMBSTONES of Fellow Americans and Tennesseans who have died at the hands of illegal immigrants and Drug Trafficking. I will never support you again or anyone you endorse for your seat in 2020.
Enjoy your 30 pieces of silver Lamar.
He’s an empty suit. He says he has Constitutional concerns as does Speaker Pelosi. But they FAIL to cite the specific wording. I’m a Constitutionalist and I support applying its wording according to an objective reading according to English grammar–as with any other written contract. The 1976 National Emergencies Act probably needs to be repealed or specifically constrained, especially that any executive power could not infringe or violate any Constitutionally protected liberties in the Bill of Rights.
I think that the 1976 law allows a president to declare martial law. That should be eliminated in that it violates Article IV, Section 4, which is also the same section which mandates that “the United States SHALL …protect the States against Invasion.