Trump made clear 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. | Win McNamee/Getty Images National Emergency GOP could face emergency vote every 6 months Under the National Emergencies Act, Democrats could force constant Trump loyalty tests to make Republicans squirm.

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

And as the first vote approaches, there are signs the president is becoming increasingly interested in the final tally, though he still faces an uphill battle to fend off a bipartisan rebuke.


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

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

The 1976 law states “not later than six months after a national emergency is declared, and not later than the end of each six-month period thereafter 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 declaration because they fear future Democratic presidents could cite 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 tweeted, breaking a relative silence on the brewing GOP rebellion.

Several Senate Republicans are expected to join Senate Democrats to rebuke the emergency declaration next week, with four GOP senators opposing the emergency declaration and about 10 others weighing whether to vote against it.

Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) met with Trump at the White House to discuss the border Wednesday and acknowledged the president hoped to see the party stay united.

“We had a solid showing in the House,” he told reporters Wednesday. “I don’t know what the Senate is going to look like. He obviously would like to see a very strong, Republican unified vote out of the Senate.”

Some Republicans are seeking to hold a vote on a disapproval resolution that differs from the simple House-passed version, though it’s unclear whether that will be allowed under Senate rules.

One Republican senator considering how to vote said the White House is beginning to engage in the effort after standing by for several weeks. This senator received a call from a top White House official on Wednesday urging a vote for the president’s position; the senator said “a lot of people are praying” they don’t have to take the vote and defy the president.

“Why make people walk the plank?” the senator said.

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

Nancy Cook contributed to this report.

