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WASHINGTON \u2013 Another GOP senator will reject President Trump\u2019s national emergency declaration that would allow him to build a wall on the southern border, setting up a scenario for Trump to issue his first veto.<\/p>\n
\u201cI can\u2019t vote to give the president the power to spend money that hasn\u2019t been appropriated by Congress,\u201d Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) said at a GOP event in Kentucky Saturday, according to the Bowling Green Daily News<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cWe may want more money for border security, but Congress didn\u2019t authorize it. If we take away those checks and balances, it\u2019s a dangerous thing,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Paul joins at least three other Senate Republicans \u2013 Sens. Thom Tills of North Carolina, Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska \u2013 who said they won\u2019t support Trump using emergency powers to take billions from Department of Defense construction programs to build a wall on the Mexican border.<\/p>\n Congress refused to appropriate $5.6 billion in funds Trump wanted in a spending bill to end a 35-day government shutdown in January.<\/p>\n Trump\u2019s emergency declaration is an abuse of executive authority used to bypass the will of Congress, the senators believe.<\/p>\n If the four senators join with all the 47 senators who caucus with the Democrats, there would be a bipartisan majority to block Trump\u2019s emergency declaration.<\/p>\n The measure already passed the Democrat-controlled House.<\/p>\n Trump has pledged to veto any effort by Congress to stop construction of the wall.<\/p>\n But Congress does not appear to have the 2\/3 majority needed to override his veto \u2013 meaning Trump\u2019s declaration could stay in place.<\/p>\n The emergency declaration is under court challenge by states like New York.<\/p>\n A rep for Paul did not immediately respond to the Post for further comment.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n