Friend,

What is the actual cost of just 23 miles of President Trump's ineffective and controversial border wall?

Disturbingly, it's 10 schools and a child development center for active duty military and Department of Defense civilian families. Trump just cancelled these 11 projects to pay for fewer than 23 miles of the wall he promised Mexico would pay for.

Trump's obsession with this wall is an insult to our troops, to the Constitution which gives Congress -- and Congress alone -- the power of the purse, and to all Americans. And it's a direct attack on those who have dedicated their lives to protecting our country.

That's why when we began marking up 2020's appropriations bills within the Senate Appropriations Committee, I offered amendments to undo the President's actions on the wall and to limit his oft-abused ability to transfer money. But to get them passed, we all need to raise our voices.

Will you stand up for the Constitution and add your name to my petition demanding that Congress reaffirm the Senate's constitutional role in all budget and appropriations decisions?

In defense of this power grab, the president has cited a fake crisis at the border in order to declare a national emergency and build his wall. Let me be clear: This is yet another lie and abuse of power.

The real crisis is the constitutional crisis that's been brewing -- and that Trump has been goading -- for the past 2.5 years.

My Democratic colleagues, within and outside of the Appropriations Committee, have repeatedly spoken up to protect our democracy. This week, I'm urging my colleagues across the aisle to do the same -- on behalf of the military, our democratic institutions, and all of us.

It's not hyperbolic to say that the fabric of our democracy is at stake. These amendments have a real shot at mitigating some of the damage. Please add your name next to mine to stop Trump's latest power grab and show your support for the constitutional rights given to Congress.

Thank you for adding your name.

Sincerely,

Patrick Leahy
U.S. Senator