Many Republicans, including McConnell, had advised the president against declaring a national emergency, which is a challenge to Congress' "power of the purse" -- the power to decide how and where taxpayer money is spent. However, McConnell, in announcing the president's decision Thursday afternoon, said he now supported the move.
“I will fully support the enactment of a joint resolution to terminate the President’s emergency declaration, in accordance with the process described in the National Emergencies Act, and intend to pursue all other available legal options," Rep. Jerry Nadler, D-New York, the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, said in a statement. "The Judiciary Committee will also use its authority to hold the Administration to account and determine the supposed legal basis for the President’s actions.”
Democrats and some Republicans came out against the president’s plans.House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, in a joint statement, said the declaration would be a “lawless act” and a “gross abuse of the power of the presidency.”
"It is yet another demonstration of President Trump’s naked contempt for the rule of law," their statement said, calling it "a desperate attempt to put taxpayers on the hook" for his border wall, adding that Congress "will defend our constitutional authorities.”
In a statement late Thursday, Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-Texas, said, “If President Trump declares a national emergency to fund his border wall, I’m prepared to introduce a resolution to terminate the President’s emergency declaration.”
Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, said Thursday afternoon, "This approach does set a very bad precedent for future presidents, whether it's a Democrat or a Republican, to feel that they can get around Congress's constitutional role to allocate funding.
“It's very serious and troubling to me," she added.
Senior House Democrats and aides were waiting for Trump’s emergency declaration Thursday before deciding on how to best respond, but one aide said the House could take up and pass a joint resolution disapproving of any national emergency declaration -- a move that would force Republican senators to go on the record on Trump’s controversial move.