Murkowski votes down border emergency, joining 11 other Republicans

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SULLIVAN VOTES IN SUPPORT OF EMERGENCY

Twelve Republicans joined Senate Democrats in voting to overturn the president’s national emergency declaration today.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska was among them, but Sen. Dan Sullivan voted against the House resolution to block President Donald Trump from proceeding with the construction of a border wall without the approval of Congress.

The 59-41 vote in the Senate will likely set up a Trump veto.

 

In addition to Murkowski, Republican Sens. Mitt Romney of Utah, Lamar Alexander of Tennessee, Susan Collins of Maine, Rand Paul of Kentucky, Mike Lee of Utah, Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania and Jerry Moran of Kansas, Rob Portman of Ohio, Marco Rubio of Florida, Roger Wicker of Mississippi and Roy Blunt of Missouri voted for the House resolution.

On Twitter, Trump said “a vote for today’s resolution by Republican Senators is a vote for Nancy Pelosi, Crime, and the Open Border Democrats!”

But Murkowski said she was voting for House Joint Resolution 46 because, “I take very seriously my oath to uphold the Constitution, and my respect for the balance within the separation of powers. Article 1 provides that the power to appropriate lies with the legislative branch. When the executive branch goes around the express intention of Congress on matters within its jurisdiction, we must speak up or legislative acquiescence will erode our constitutional authority,” said Senator Murkowski.  “We can and must address the President’s very legitimate concerns over border security, but we must not do it at the expense of ceding Congress’ power of the purse.”

Sen. Dan Sullivan said that after weeks of study of the crisis on the Southern border, and the historical uses of executive authority, as well a the role of Congress and the direction given by the Constitution, he was a yes vote.

“After much reflection, I have concluded that today’s vote was primarily about the underlying emergency and, as I have consistently stated, there is no doubt that a crisis exists at the border. With the influx of drugs, crime, and human trafficking as a result of a porous southern border, I could not vote for a bill that, in effect, would block the President’s attempt—using authority authorized by Congress and previously invoked by numerous Presidents—to better secure the border and keep Americans safe.”

The House had earlier passed the resolution on a vote of 245-182, with Congressman Don Young voting against the Democrat-led legislation.

More than 76,000 illegal border-crossers were apprehended crossing the southern border in February, the highest February in a decade and more than any month during the 2014 border surge during the Obama presidency.

Last week, U.S. Customs and Border Protection released statistics on Southwest Border apprehensions for fiscal year 2019 and called it a humanitarian and national security crisis.

“Family Unit Aliens are crossing our borders in record numbers. This fiscal year to date, CBP has seen a more than 300 percent increase in the number of family units apprehended compared to the same time period in fiscal year 2018. Today, family units and unaccompanied alien children make up 60 percent of apprehension that have occurred along the southwest border and are predominantly from Central America, namely Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador.

“Additionally, there have been 70 large groups of 100 or more individuals totaling 12,069 apprehensions, compared to what Border Patrol encountered in FY18, which was 13 large groups, and in FY17, which was only two.

“We are currently facing a humanitarian and national security crisis along our southwest border. The vast increases in families and children coming across our border, in larger groups and in more remote areas, presents a unique challenge to our operations and facilities, and those of our partners, including the NGOS who work to assist these individuals and families throughout their immigration proceedings,” said CBP Commissioner Kevin K. McAleenan. “This is why I am working with our government partners and have identified additional funding for humanitarian resources in the field, including expanded medical protocols, and the addition of a more appropriate central processing center to handle the increased volumes of family units and unaccompanied minors.”

The border agency is increasing medical support for the illegal immigrants, with an emphasis on treating juvenile detainees.

CBP will also expand contracted medical support in major “high-risk” locations at and between ports of entry along the border where families with children are crossing. This will include medical assessments by registered nurses and family nurse practitioners.

CBP is standing up a Centralized Processing Center in El Paso, Texas, to increase the care of and provision for UAC and FMUA in the temporary custody of CBP while awaiting disposition by ICE and/or placement with HHS.

32 COMMENTS

  1. I sure don’t remember Murkowski’s face rebuking Obama. I don’t know of one time she voted against his constitutional trampling. I do know she was voted the most liberal “republican” in congress. That’s quite a distinction. I keep remembering how she got into office to start and how she stayed in office last time. Pretty unheard of. I guess it worked for her. Too bad the Alaskans didn’t vote her in the first time and all the funding for her write in didn’t come from Alaska. That would send a message.

  2. Murkowski its time to declare that you are a Democrat in Disguise. and hopefully, the Republican party will pull all the support from you now and in the future

  3. Alberta’s, there is no disguise. She is a Democrat. And I agree that the Republican Party should pull it’s support and any funding. She consistently votes with the Democrats with no consideration for her constituents. I’lol not vote for her. She has proven that she is a traitor to her party.

  4. The proper context for this is: the sun rose today at xxam, it set at xxpm and Sen Murkowski voted again against Trump.

    The only question is when and what will be the reciprocity.

  5. Lisa, you do not own the office. It is only leased. That is why you are oft called “Lease-A”. But your having sub-let it to the Democrat-Socialist Party is going too far. When the current lease expires it cannot be renewed.

  6. I have emailed the AK republican party twice about lisa, no response. are our Alaskan republican party officials RINO’s? I asked about Kavanaugh, the non-vote for surviving aborted babies, planned un-parenthood, changing the definition of the word marriage, against school choice and vouchers, I could go on and on. the party’s silence makes me sick.

  7. For some reason, I am unable to find any evidence whatsoever that Senator Murkowski is doing anything at all to stop the INVASION along the southern border. Absent control of our borders, we will not remain a country for very long. There is not much “middle ground” on this issue. Senator Murkowski should consider transforming her words into actions.

  8. A whole herd of RINOs. I’m not surprised over Lisa though as she has revealed her imposter color song before this.

  9. “Daddy’s Little Princess” is at it ‘AGAIN’ and, for all us Repubublicans, it’s just another day of disappointment and regret. Not really sure what her accomplishments are and what specific value she brings to AK but, it’s quite clear that folks know exactly what her transgressions are as well as her disappointing voting record is. It’s as if people are keeping score and preparing to remind the constuency as she gets closer to election season.
    I am a little surprised that neither Young and/or Sullivan are unable to coach or mentor her, bringing her around. However, now that Babcock has moved on, let’s give Glenn Clarey a chance to manage this RHINO ‘out-of-office’ and find a responsible replacement Candidate, as she really doesn’t represent an ounce of Republican values and characteristics. She’s had many chances and years to represent accordingly / responsibly but, unfortunately she continues to wave at us Republicans, not with all fingers but with only one finger.

  10. The problem with Alaskan voters is that most Republicans vote for whoever has the R next to their name. Many Democrats and undeclared and nonpartisans will also vote for Murkowski just to keep her seated since they know what their options are. If you are a centrist or lean a little right and disagree with Murkowskis vote then don’t vote for her next election…that is the only chance to unseat her. The Libertarian candidate last election cycle had one of the best showings ever, had Republicans backed the Libertarian candidate we would have a real representative in the Senate.

    • The only problem being that true libertarian ideology has much more in common with the Democrat Party than it does with conservatism or the Republican Party. Specifically amnesty, open borders, unfair trade, legalized drugs, atheism, abortion, etc. Smaller government and fiscal restraint are about the only commonalities with the GOP.

      • Strange that you think Libertarians have more in common the Democratic Party than the Republican Party when you compare the big issues like big government, probably the biggest and most important of the big issues. Granted there are many big government Republicans but there are zero big government conservatives and zero big government Libertarians, but virtually all Democrats are for big government. Getting into the discussion for freedom and liberty I think you will find the Republican and Democratic Party more closely aligned than you will with Libertarians and conservatives, who both believe that freedom and liberty belong to the individual and not the state. If you think that governments role is to tell you, as a free person, what to do and when to do it then you are not a conservative or a Libertarian, but you could very well be a Democrat or Republican. Of course most social conservatives will disagree with libertarianism since the individual is free to do what the individual sees fit as long as it doesn’t harm another. Maybe that is why you think Libertarians are more closely aligned with the Democratic Party than the Republican Party? When it comes to property rights, economic freedom, the right to bear arms, and national defense Libertarians are more closely linked with Republicans than Democrats. The Republican Party got its start in the classical liberalism movement, Libertarians hold classical liberalism ideals, Democrats do not.

  11. Can I believe she voted with the Dems. NO. Getting to reality, Lisa : How would you feel if a relative or friend was sitting in her home (as in San Jose Ca) with her 2 cats and an illegal broke in and stabbed her to death. Illegal has a long history of violence and is protected by the Sanctuary City people .Former Governor Jerry Brown now sits in his protected home with probably no thoughts of what happens to regular people. Think violent illegals are not heading for Alaska, Think Again. There is a Crises at our borders. I so not hesitate to say. “Shame on you Lisa”

  12. Thanks for standing up for the constitution. There is no emergency on the southern border. The wall will not be built with US tax payer money. Soon Trump will be out of office for all of his criminal acts before and after becoming president. Putin’s puppet soon to be exposed for the treason has he has committed.

  13. Mark is what happens when pot became legal in Alaska and watching MSNBC and the rest of lying press!
    Spewing your hate at the wrong site. Tell someone else that is stupid enough to believe what your democratic script has for you to say!
    You have been playing in the sand box too long with your head in it.

  14. I gave Lisa the benefit of the doubt in 2004, but I absolutely refused to vote for her in 2010 and 2016 and I certainly won’t vote for her in 2022. It’s time she moves across the aisle and votes with the party she truly represents. Republicans need to start looking for a viable candidate that doesn’t have the baggage previous challengers have had. It’s time we have a real Republican senator filling her seat.

  15. Our democratic senator from Alaska has done it again. Voting against her constituents wishes. She continues to obstruct our POTUS at every term. How convenient Lisa that you missed the Right for Life vote. You make me sick

  16. Only a hardened cynic would ask whether Senator Murkowski would have approved the border wall if the fix was in for Alaska Native Corporations to get contracts for building all or part of it.

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