OHIO - Following President Trump’s decision to declare a national emergency to pay for a border wall on Friday, Ohio’s members of Congress weighed in.
As of Friday afternoon, 14 of the state’s 18 lawmakers released statements or tweets in reaction to the president’s declaration and the funding bill that was passed to avoid another government shutdown.
You can read excerpts of their statements below or click on each name for their full statement:
“I am pleased that President Trump will sign this bipartisan funding agreement…I agree with the president that we have a crisis on our southern border...I would prefer we work together to find a legislative solution instead of declaring a national emergency…"
“The President’s decision to take funding away from our military to support his vanity project is reckless and irresponsible. The President continues to hurt the people who make this country work by wasting time and standing in the way of important work…"
Representative Bill Johnson (R-06):
“The bipartisan budget agreement the House just voted on isn’t perfect – far from it – but, it moves the ball forward...I support declaring a national emergency on the southern border – because there is a national security crisis there…"
Representative Bob Gibbs (R-07):
“This funding bill provides the resources necessary to jumpstart the process of making our southern border secure...An unsecured border is a national emergency and should be treated as such. I will continue working with President Trump…”
Representative Brad Wenstrup (R-02):
“While I strongly preferred the funding legislation we passed in the House in December, today’s negotiated package, fortunately, includes $22.54 billion in funding for border security to address the numerous challenges we face on the southern border…"
Representative Dave Joyce (R-14):
“While the funding measure is not perfect, failing to come to an agreement and perpetuating the security and humanitarian crisis at our southern border was not an option.”
Representative Jim Jordan (R-04):
"Of course it’s a national emergency.”
Representative Marcy Kaptur (D-09):
“Past national security emergencies have involved hurricanes, wildfires, hostage crises, epidemics and public health emergencies and terrorist attacks posing grave and immediate risk to American lives. The situation at the border clearly falls short.”
Representative Mike Turner (R-10):
“I supported this funding deal as a step towards securing our border...However, I believe it is a dangerous precedent for the President to be forced to declare a national emergency because Congress refuses to provide necessary funding to protect our country.”
Representative Tim Ryan (D-13):
"While I support the compromise to keep the government open, President Trump should not be using the declaration of a national emergency to address border security. We aren’t going to solve this through an executive overreach; we need targeted, fact-based solutions.”
Representative Troy Balderson (R-12):
"I fundamentally disagree with several provisions in this bill, but I cannot, in good conscience, vote to shut down the federal government...This is not an ideal solution by any means, but it does its intended purpose…"
Representative Warren Davidson (R-08):
“This bill fails on multiple levels. Not only did I vote against it, I cosponsored legislation that would keep the government open while more productive negotiations could continue. Sadly, a national emergency declaration will likely prove even slower..."
Representative Anthony Gonzalez (R-16):
"I believe that this bill represents the best compromise we can hope to achieve...my fear is that any executive action to assign further funds for physical barriers on our border would set a dangerous precedent…"
Representative Joyce Beatty (D-03):
“I voted in support of the bipartisan, bicameral government funding bill because it will prevent another costly and unnecessary shutdown…this Executive Order will very likely cause extensive litigation...where I am hopeful it will be overruled.”
