Rep. Ruben Gallego Ruben GallegoHispanic caucus report takes stock of accomplishments with eye toward 2021 Senators call on Pentagon to reinstate funding for Stars and Stripes newspaper Hispanic Caucus campaign chief to mount leadership bid MORE (D-Ariz.) on Thursday condemned the announcement that President Trump Donald John TrumpOmar fires back at Trump over rally remarks: 'This is my country' Pelosi: Trump hurrying to fill SCOTUS seat so he can repeal ObamaCare Trump mocks Biden appearance, mask use ahead of first debate MORE would declare a national emergency to fund a border wall, saying that "Trump's presidency is the real national emergency."

Trump's presidency is the real national emergency. — Ruben Gallego (@RepRubenGallego) February 14, 2019

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell Addison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellPelosi: Trump hurrying to fill SCOTUS seat so he can repeal ObamaCare Senate GOP aims to confirm Trump court pick by Oct. 29: report Trump argues full Supreme Court needed to settle potential election disputes MORE (R-Ky.) said on the Senate floor that Trump "indicated" that he was prepared to sign a congressional spending bill without money for his long-promised wall along the southern border.

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The bill includes $1.375 billion for roughly 55 miles of new barriers along the southern border and allocates about $23 billion in total border security funds.

But McConnell added that Trump would also declare a national emergency at the same time he signs the legislation.

"I indicated I'm going to support the national emergency declaration," McConnell said.

White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders confirmed the decision shortly after, saying in a statement that Trump would "take other executive action - including a national emergency - to ensure we stop the national security and humanitarian crisis at the border."

Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) has said he supports the national emergency action. But many Democratic lawmakers have strongly voiced opposition to the move.