This Week in Congress Wrap-Up

Yesterday was a busy day in the Senate.

First, the Senate failed to obtain the necessary two-thirds majority to override President Trump’s veto of S.J.Res. 54, which “disapproved” of the president’s declaration of a national emergency along the US-Mexican border.

The vote was 53-36

The following Republicans joined every Democrat in voting to override the veto:

Roy Blunt (MO)

Susan Collins (ME)

Mike Lee (UT)

Lisa Murkowski (AK)

Rand Paul (KY)

Rob Portman (OH)

Mitt Romney (UT)

Marco Rubio (FL)

Pat Toomey (PA)

You can see the vote here.

The Senate also rejected S.J.Res. 53, which overturned the administration’s affordable energy rule giving increased flexibility to states, as opposed to the Obama regulation it replaced that put the EPA in charge of the electric grid in every state.

West Virginia Democratic Senator Joe Manchin joined every Republican except Susan Collins in supporting the regulation.

You can see the vote here.

For more on the regulation see here.

Finally, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) tried to get unanimous consent to bring to the Senate Floor H.J.Res. 77, the resolution expressing disapproval of President Trump’s withdrawal of troops from the Syrian-Turkish border. He was denied unanimous consent by Senator Rand Paul.

Senator Paul then attempted to offer legislation blocking US arms sales to Turkey. His attempt was blocked.

Here is the video of Senator Paul’s objection and attempt to educate Senator Schumer on the constitutional requirement that Congress declare war before the executive can deploy troops.