Dems to introduce measure blocking Trump’s emergency declaration

House Democrats are slated to introduce a privileged resolution as soon as Friday in an effort to stop President Trump’s national emergency declaration to build a barrier along the southern border, according to a Democratic aide.

Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chairman Joaquin Castro (D-Texas) is leading the efforts on the measure, which was first reported by The Associated Press. The resolution has reportedly garnered the support of 90 Democratic co-sponsors. It’s less likely to see movement in the Republican-controlled Senate.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) is backing the Castro resolution and urging colleagues to support it.

{mosads}Trump declared a national emergency on Friday to reallocate billions of dollars to fund construction of a barrier at the U.S.-Mexico border. Lawmakers provided $1.375 billion in funding for border fencing as part of the massive spending bill passed by Congress last week.

The move to declare a national emergency for additional border funding was met with strong pushback from Democrats as well as some Republicans, who argued it was a power grab by the president after he failed to secure the money in negotiations with congressional leaders.

Sixteen states have joined a lawsuit filed this week against the emergency declaration.

-Updated 8:30 p.m.