HOLLAND (WHTC-AM/FM) — The U.S. House of Reprsentatives averted a second partial governemtn shutdown by passing the 2019 appropriations package, 300-128. Among those voting “yes” is Republican and Sixth District Rep. Fred Upton of St. Joseph.
Nineteen Democrats voted against the measure, while 109 Republicans, a majority, voted “no,” including Second District Rep. Bill Huizenga. (See all the votes.)
Huizenga said he met with border control authorities and, while he supported the appropriations legislation, he vote against the bill because it failed to, as he put it, deliver upon an urgent need on the critical elements for properly funding and securing the U.S. border.
Huizenga also expressed concerned over President Donald Trump’s comments about declaring a national emergency.
“The President has indicated he will be declaring a national emergency when he signs this legislation into law. Mr. President, I urge caution,” Huizenga wrote in a statement emailed to media. “Congress should be the lead actor on funding border security. There are serious constitutional questions that immediately arise surrounding a declaration of national emergency that must be answered. We need to see the details of the President’s anticipated declaration.”
After the last shutdown, Upton said there were no winners in that fight.
