In a surprising development, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said he would support Trump’s emergency declaration. But lawmakers from both parties were openly relieved to forestall a fresh federal shutdown and put the border security battle -— at least this phase of it — behind them. Meeting with reporters, House Speaker Pelosi, warned that legal action aimed at blocking Trump’s emergency declaration was an option, but she stopped short of saying it would definitely occur. “House Democrats will challenge this irresponsible declaration,” he said in a statement. Facing opposition from Trump, Democrats lost their bid to include language giving federal contractors back pay for wages lost during the last shutdown.

Source: National Post February 14, 2019 22:18 UTC