Schneider Statement on National Emergency Declaration

Today, Congressman Brad Schneider (IL-10) released the following statement:

"President Trump's national emergency declaration blatantly disregards our Constitution. If unchecked, it will do great damage to our long-standing system of checks and balances.

"In his campaign, the President promised Mexico would foot the bill for his wall, but he is now sticking the American taxpayer with the tab for this costly vanity project. To do so, he is misusing funds meant for national security and the safety of our men and women in uniform.

"The truth is there is not an emergency at our border, and both border security and immigration reform can and should be addressed through the normal legislative process established by our founders. The American people understand this, which is why the majority of the public opposes the President's declaration, as well as his wasteful wall.

"But regardless of individual opinions on the merits of a border wall, this is a moment that transcends our partisan politics. I fully support the legislative and judicial effort to counter this egregious executive overreach, and urge my colleagues of all political stripes to step forward and join the defense of our Constitution."