President Trump is on a collision course with his own party.
A growing number of Republican senators are openly criticizing Trump's attempt to build a border wall without congressional approval, paving the way for an intra-party clash that could prompt the President to issue his first-ever veto.
Ten Republican senators have publicly questioned Trump's national
emergency declaration, which the White House says frees up about $8
billion in taxpayer funds for the construction of a wall between the
U.S. and Mexico, including Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of
Alaska, Lamar Alexander of Tennessee, and Marco Rubio of Florida.
"I'm disappointed...with the President's intention to declare an emergency to build a wall," Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, who is typically committed to Trump's agenda, said after the planned declaration was first announced Feb. 14. "Extraconstitutional executive actions are wrong, no matter which party does them."
Jerry Moran of Kansas, another loyal Trump backer, raised similar concerns last week. "If it gets used this time, what's the next instance in which it becomes used?" Moran asked.
Republican insiders say several more members are privately skeptical, which could prove problematic for Trump as a measure is set to be taken up in Congress this week to block the order altogether.
"The private number is way higher, around 25 or so in total," said longtime GOP strategist Evan Siegfried, citing private conversations with aides and members of Congress.
A congressional source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said a couple dozen Senate Republicans remain critical of Trump's controversial order but likely won't vote against it out of fear of political repercussions.
Read more: Republican opposition mounts against Trump's emergency declaration, could trigger President's first veto
A growing number of Republican senators are openly criticizing Trump's attempt to build a border wall without congressional approval, paving the way for an intra-party clash that could prompt the President to issue his first-ever veto.
"I'm disappointed...with the President's intention to declare an emergency to build a wall," Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, who is typically committed to Trump's agenda, said after the planned declaration was first announced Feb. 14. "Extraconstitutional executive actions are wrong, no matter which party does them."
Jerry Moran of Kansas, another loyal Trump backer, raised similar concerns last week. "If it gets used this time, what's the next instance in which it becomes used?" Moran asked.
Republican insiders say several more members are privately skeptical, which could prove problematic for Trump as a measure is set to be taken up in Congress this week to block the order altogether.
"The private number is way higher, around 25 or so in total," said longtime GOP strategist Evan Siegfried, citing private conversations with aides and members of Congress.
A congressional source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said a couple dozen Senate Republicans remain critical of Trump's controversial order but likely won't vote against it out of fear of political repercussions.
Read more: Republican opposition mounts against Trump's emergency declaration, could trigger President's first veto
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