GOP could face emergency vote every 6 months

President Donald Trump’s national emergency declaration on the border will come to a head on the Senate floor next week. And potentially six months after that. And six months after that.

Under the National Emergencies Act, Republicans believe that Democrats will be able to bring up a disapproval vote on his move to declare and emergency and seize billions from military construction every six months, according to two GOP senators briefed on parliamentary procedure in recent days.

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That would essentially force Trump loyalty tests every six months unless the president withdraws his national emergency, according to one parliamentary interpretation provided to Republicans.

The Act, which became law in 1976, states “not later than six months after a national emergency is declared, and not later than the end of each six-month period there- after that such emergency continues, each House of Congress shall meet to consider a vote on a concurrent resolution to determine whether that emergency shall be terminated.”

Trump made clear on Wednesday that he’s upset his party is threatening to fracture, with most senators opposing the emergency because they fear a future Democratic president will use Trump’s move to institute their own priorities.

“Senate Republicans are not voting on constitutionality or precedent, they are voting on desperately needed Border Security & the Wall. Our Country is being invaded with Drugs, Human Traffickers, & Criminals of all shapes and sizes. That’s what this vote is all about. STAY UNITED!” he said on Twitter, breaking a relative silence on the brewing GOP rebellion.

Multiple Senate Republicans are expected to join Senate Democrats and disapprove of the emergency declaration next week, with four GOP senators currently opposed to the emergency and about 10 others weighing whether to vote against it.

Some Republicans are seeking to hold a vote on a disapproval resolution that differs from the simple House-passed version, though it’s not clear whether that will be allowed on Senate rules.

The vote has not officially been set but is expected next Thursday before the March recess, according to Republican senators.