Tillis Wrote A Column In The Washington Post Explaining Why He Would Vote In Favor Of The Resolution Disapproving Of The President’s National Emergency Declaration, Saying He Couldn’t “Justify Providing The Executive With More Ways To Bypass Congress.” According to Washington Post op-ed by Senator Thom Tillis, “Although Trump certainly has legitimate grievances over congressional Democrats’ obstruction of border-security funding, his national emergency declaration on Feb. 15 was not the right answer. […] As a U.S. senator, I cannot justify providing the executive with more ways to bypass Congress. As a conservative, I cannot endorse a precedent that I know future left-wing presidents will exploit to advance radical policies that will erode economic and individual freedoms. These are the reasons I would vote in favor of the resolution disapproving of the president’s national-emergency declaration, if and when it comes before the Senate.” [Senator Thom Tillis Op-Ed - Washington Post, 2/25/19]
Tillis: “I Can Understand Why The President Would Assert His Powers With The Emergency Declaration…If I Were The Leader Of The Constitution’s Article II Branch, I Would Probably Declare An Emergency And Use All The Tools At My Disposal As Well.” According to Washington Post, “From the perspective of the chief executive, I can understand why the president would assert his powers with the emergency declaration to implement his policy agenda. After all, nearly every president in the modern era has similarly pushed the boundaries of presidential power, many with the helping hand of Congress. In fact, if I were the leader of the Constitution’s Article II branch, I would probably declare an emergency and use all the tools at my disposal as well. But I am not. I am a member of the Senate, and I have grave concerns when our institution looks the other way at the expense of weakening Congress’s power.” [Sen. Thom Tillis - Washington Post, 2/25/19]
Tillis Said Of Republicans Criticizing Obama When He Used Executive Action, But Failing To Oppose Trump’s Declaration: “There Is No Intellectual Honesty In Now Turning Around And Arguing That There’s An Imaginary Asterisk Attached To Executive Overreach – That It’s Acceptable For My Party But Not Thy Party.” According to a Washington Post op-ed by Senator Thom Tillis, “It is my responsibility to be a steward of the Article I branch, to preserve the separation of powers and to curb the kind of executive overreach that Congress has allowed to fester for the better part of the past century. I stood by that principle during the Obama administration, and I stand by it now. Conservatives rightfully cried foul when President Barack Obama used executive action to completely bypass Congress and unilaterally provide deferred action to undocumented adults who had knowingly violated the nation’s immigration laws. Some prominent Republicans went so far as to proclaim that Obama was acting more like an ‘emperor’ or ‘king’ than a president. There is no intellectual honesty in now turning around and arguing that there’s an imaginary asterisk attached to executive overreach — that it’s acceptable for my party but not thy party.” [Senator Thom Tillis Op-Ed - Washington Post, 2/25/19]
Tillis Expressed Support For A Senate Version Of Legislation Disapproving Of President Trump’s Border Security National Emergency. According to Roll Call, “Sens. Susan Collins and Tom Udall have teamed up on the Senate version of legislation disapproving of President Trump’s border security national emergency. Udall, a Democrat from New Mexico and an appropriator, said the resolution to terminate the national emergency isn’t really even about the proposed border wall itself, saying on the Senate floor this is a matter of ‘standing up for the Constitution.’ […] In addition to Collins and Murkowski, Thom Tillis of North Carolina has expressed support. And more GOP supporters are expected, meaning the joint resolution should easily clear the Senate with a simple majority.” [Roll Call, 2/28/19]
Tillis Opposed Trump’s Plans To Sign A National Emergency Declaration, Saying “It Doesn’t Matter Who The President Is Or What Party They Belong To: I Strongly Believe In The Separation Of Powers And Curbing The Kind Of Executive Overreach That Congress Has Allowed To Fester For The Better Part Of The Last Century.” According to FOX 8, “Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) voiced his opposition after President Donald Trump announced his plans to sign a national emergency declaration Friday. President Donald Trump said Friday he will intends to sign a national emergency declaration to free up funds for a border wall and combat illegal immigration at the southern border. ‘It doesn’t matter who the President is or what party they belong to: I strongly believe in the separation of powers and curbing the kind of executive overreach that Congress has allowed to fester for the better part of the last century, including during the Obama Administration,’ Tillis said in a statement.” [FOX 8, 2/15/19]
Tillis Defended His Decision To Vote For Disapproval Of Trump’s Emergency Declaration, Saying He Had Been Consistent On The Issue Of Executive Power Since His 2014 Race When He Complained About Obama Legislating With A “Pen And Phone.” According to News & Observer, “Tillis defended his decision, saying he has been consistent on the issue of executive power since his 2014 race when he complained about President Barack Obama legislating with a ‘pen and phone.’ Tillis also said he worries about the precedent Trump’s call might set for a future Democratic president. ‘This dates back to the concern that I had when I was campaigning in 2014,’ Tillis told reporters at the Capitol last week. ‘I agree with the need for about $25 billion to go down there. I just don’t think this is the right sustainable path, and I do believe Congress has to play a part in it.’ That nuanced position — one echoed by several prominent Republicans in the Senate, including Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky — is up against Trump’s clear directive: Build the wall.” [News & Observer, 3/5/19]
Tillis Defended His Disapproval Of Trump’s Emergency Declaration, Saying Some People “Think Any Time You Take Exception To The Position The President May Have Taken, You’re Being Disloyal. I Don’t Believe That” And Noted “It’s Never A Tough Vote For Me When I’m Standing On Principle.” According to Washington Post, “The Trump administration privately appealed to Republican senators on Tuesday to stand with President Trump on his controversial wall, painting a picture of a U.S.-Mexico border crisis to persuade undecided GOP lawmakers to back his emergency declaration in a highly anticipated vote next week. […] ‘There are some people that think any time you take exception to the position the president may have taken, you’re being disloyal. I don’t believe that,’ Tillis said in an interview Tuesday. ‘I’ve had a great discussion with the White House in the past week or so. They understand that I know there’s a crisis at the border.’ Tillis added: ‘It’s never a tough vote for me when I’m standing on principle.’” [Washington Post, 3/5/19]
Tillis Discussed Potential Changes To Legislation Curtailing Presidential Power With The White House, Saying He Discussed How To Balance The President’s “Individual Power” And Congress’ Role.” According to Politico, “Republican senators queasy about the legality and precedent of Trump’s unilateral move to fund his wall are exploring whether the president will commit to signing a bill amending the National Emergency Act and curtailing presidential power. […] Two GOP senators, Mike Lee of Utah and Thom Tillis of North Carolina, discussed the potential changes to the law with the White House over the weekend. Tillis opposes Trump’s national emergency declaration and Lee is undecided on how he will vote. Roughly a dozen GOP senators are weighing whether to vote against the White House. ‘There’s a lot of different discussions going on and really I thought the White House has been great in speaking with a number of members, me just one of them,’ Tillis said. He said they were discussing how to balance the president’s ‘individual power’ and Congress’ role.” [Politico, 3/11/19]
Tillis Was Set To Meet With Vice President Mike Pence To Decide The Extent Of The Republican Defections On A Vote To Reject Trump’s Emergency Declaration. According to Washington Post, “Vice President Pence will meet privately with three Republican senators later Tuesday who could decide the extent of Republican defections on a vote this week to reject President Trump’s national emergency declaration. The meeting, which was not listed on the vice president’s public schedule, will be held with Republican Sens. Thom Tillis (N.C.), Lamar Alexander (Tenn.) and Mike Lee (Utah) at the Capitol, according to two people familiar with it who were not authorized to speak publicly.” [Washington Post, 3/12/19]
Tillis Had Said His Vote On Trump’s Emergency Declaration Would Depend On The Outcome Of The Talks With The White House On Mike Lee’s Bill Limiting The President’s Emergency Powers. According to The Hill, “Trump called Lee during a lunchtime meeting of the Senate Republican conference Wednesday to inform him that he would not support his bill to require Congress to vote to approve future national emergency declarations after 30 days. […] Tillis had engaged in the talks with Lee and Pence in hopes of finding a compromise that would allow him to change his mind and vote against the disapproval resolution. Tillis told The Hill Wednesday that his vote would depend on the outcome of the talks with the White House.” [The Hill, 3/13/19]
After Meeting With Pence, Tillis Indicated He Could Change His Position If The Administration And Senators Struck A Deal On Revising The National Emergencies Act. According to Washington Post, “The senators who met Tuesday with Pence were Tillis, Alexander, Lee, Rob Portman (Ohio) and Patrick J. Toomey (Pa.). All five of these lawmakers have indicated varying levels of concern with the president’s emergency declaration. […] Key to quelling the GOP revolt is legislation drafted by Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) that tries to claw back some emergency powers to Congress and whether the White House endorses some version of it. […] Although four Republican senators have already announced they will vote to nullify the president’s emergency declaration, one of them — Sen. Thom Tillis (N.C.) — publicly indicated Tuesday after a private meeting with Vice President Pence that he could change his position if the administration and senators strike a deal on revising the National Emergencies Act. That would be enough to kill the resolution in the Senate, provided no other GOP senators oppose Trump’s declaration or alter their position.” [Washington Post, 3/12/19]
In A Private Luncheon After Meeting With Pence, Tillis Indicated He Was Flippable If The White House Agreed To Some Form Of Sen. Mike Lee’s Legislation, Which Would Give Back Some Emergency Powers To Congress. According to Washington Post, “Key to quelling the GOP revolt is legislation drafted by Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) that tries to claw back some emergency powers to Congress and whether the White House endorses some version of it. […] Tillis — who Republican senators and aides broadly believe is flippable — told reporters after the meeting that the discussions with the administration remain a ‘work in progress.’ Inside a private luncheon with other Republican senators after the Pence gathering, Tillis made the case that if the White House agreed to some form of Lee’s legislation, that would mean a president would be giving up some of his executive powers — a rarity, according to a person briefed on the closed-door discussion.” [Washington Post, 3/12/19]
Tillis Voted To Support Trump’s Emergency Declaration, Announcing His Change Of Heart Minutes Before The Senate Vote: “A Lot Has Changed Over The Last Three Weeks.” According to Associated Press, “Changing his vote from the public stance he took last month, North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis voted Thursday to support President Donald Trump’s declaration of a national emergency to pay for his border wall. Tillis announced his change of heart on the Senate floor, minutes before the Senate voted to disapprove Trump’s declaration. ‘A lot has changed over the last three weeks,’ when he laid out his objections to the president’s action in an op-ed in The Washington Post, Tillis said.” [Associated Press, 3/14/19]
Tillis Believed A Health Care Plan Needed To Address Pre-Existing Conditions And Ensure Young Americans Could Stay On Their Parents’ Insurance. According to Salisbury Post, “U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., says the final health care plan passed by Congress must address pre-existing conditions and ensure young Americans can stay on their parents’ insurance. Tillis made the statement in a tweet on Friday -- one day after the U.S. House passed the American Health Care Act by a 217-213 count. The health care bill now heads to the Senate, where it’s expected to see a tougher road to passage.” [Salisbury Post, 5/6/17]
Tillis Accused Democrats Of Spreading A “False Narrative” In Saying That Republicans Were Going To Take Away Protections For Pre-Existing Conditions. According to Washington Post, “Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), who himself sponsored a bill that he said would provide these protections in August (more on that bill here, and here, and here), accused Democrats of spreading a ‘false narrative.’ ‘It’s a false narrative for Democrats to come in and say if you elect Republicans we’re going to take that away. We’re doing everything we can, including myself... to make sure we protect preexisting conditions,’ Tillis said in an interview on ‘Fox News Sunday.’ […] However, as my colleague Elise writes, claims from Tillis, the president and many Republicans that they have protected Americans with preexisting medical conditions is a ‘false claim that flies in the face of the reality of the past eight years.’” [Washington Post, 11/5/18]
2017: Tillis Effectively Voted Against Requiring 60 Votes To Consider Legislation That Would Limit Health Insurance Access For Individuals With A Pre-Existing Condition. In January 2017, Tillis voted against waiving a point of order against an amendment that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “ban[ed] legislation from being considered in the Senate that would limit, reduce, or eliminate access to care for anyone with a pre-existing condition, place a lifetime or annual cap on health insurance coverage for someone with a disability or chronic condition, or that would allow a health plan to discriminate based on health. The ban would be waived by a three-fifths vote of the Senate.” The underlying legislation was an FY 2017 budget resolution designed to being the process of repealing the Affordable Care Act, which could be passed by a majority vote. The vote was on a motion to waive the budget act in relation to the amendment. The vote required a three-fifths vote for approval. The Senate rejected the motion by a vote of 49 to 49. [Senate Vote 15, 1/11/17; Congressional Quarterly, 1/15/17; Vox, 1/3/07; Congressional Actions, S. Amdt. 61; Congressional Actions, S. Con. Res. 3]
2017: Tillis Voted For The So Called “Skinny Repeal” Version Of Trumpcare Which Among Other Things, Repealed The Individual Mandate, Repealed The Employer Mandate Through 2024 And Defunded Planned Parenthood For One Year. In July 2017, Tillis voted for the Health Care Freedom Act, also known as “skinny repeal.” According to Congressional Quarterly, the amendment would have “repeal[ed] the individual mandate, repeal[ed] the employer mandate through 2024, delay[ed] the implementation of the medical device tax through 2020, and block[ed], for one year, federal funding from going to certain medical providers that provide abortions. The amendment would [have] ease[d] the waiver process for states to opt out of the requirement that their health insurance providers include certain benefits on their health care plans. Additionally, the amendment would [have] increase[d] the maximum allowable contribution to health savings accounts and would defund the Prevention and Public Health Fund starting in 2019.” The vote was on the amendment. The Senate rejected the amendment by a vote of 49 to 51. [Senate Vote 179, 7/28/17; Congressional Quarterly, 7/28/17; Congressional Actions, S. Amdt. 667; Congressional Actions, S. Amdt. 267; Congressional Actions, H.R. 1628]
[VIDEO] When Noted That The Repeal And Replace Bill Pushed By Republicans Would Have Significantly Reduced Protections For People With Pre-Existing Conditions, Tillis Said “That’s Actually One Of The Reasons Why I Think It Was A Courageous Vote.” According to Fox News, “WALLACE: Senator, the fact is that the repeal and replace bill with Republicans pushed repeatedly significantly reduced protections for people with pre-existing conditions. TILLIS: Well, Chris, that’s actually one of the reasons why I think it was a courageous vote. The first thing we have to do is take out the underpinnings of the Affordable Care Act so that we can put a health care policy in place that’s sustainable.” [Fox News, 11/4/18]; 181104_KNT_6413_A_SC001
Tillis Opposed The Catawba Nation’s Plan To Build A Casino In North Carolina When He Was State Speaker, In A Letter Calling The Plan A “Dangerous Precedent” To Allow A Tribe From Outside “North Carolina To Have Lands Taken.” According to Charlotte Observer, “Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina has introduced a bill that would authorize the Interior department to clear the way for the Catawba Nation to acquire 16 acres near Kings Mountain for a casino complex that was first proposed in 2013. GOP Sens. Richard Burr and Thom Tillis of North Carolina are co-sponsors. […] Leading state senators, including Republican leader Phil Berger, asked federal officials to deny the request as a ‘dangerous precedent.’ So did over 100 N.C. House members, including then-Speaker Tillis. ‘We write to express our serious opposition to any attempt by a federally recognized tribe from outside the State of North Carolina to have lands taken into trust by the Department of the Interior and have those lands deemed eligible for . . . Indian gambling,’ the lawmakers wrote.” [Charlotte Observer, 3/22/19]
Tillis Signed A Letter “Expressing ‘Serious Opposition’ To The Catawba Plan” To Build A Second Casino In North Carolina. According to WFAE, “Tillis and about 100 other state house members signed a letter expressing ‘serious opposition’ to the Catawba plan. Most of those lawmakers got donations of at least $500 from the Cherokees in the last election. And the Cherokees have covered their political bases – giving more than $140,000 to the state Democratic Party and its candidates in the last two years.” [WFAE, 10/4/13]
Tillis Co-Sponsored Legislation To Authorize The Interior Department To Clear The Way For The Catawba Nation To Build A Casino In North Carolina. According to Charlotte Observer, “Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina has introduced a bill that would authorize the Interior department to clear the way for the Catawba Nation to acquire 16 acres near Kings Mountain for a casino complex that was first proposed in 2013. GOP Sens. Richard Burr and Thom Tillis of North Carolina are co-sponsors. […] Leading state senators, including Republican leader Phil Berger, asked federal officials to deny the request as a ‘dangerous precedent.’ So did over 100 N.C. House members, including then-Speaker Tillis. ‘We write to express our serious opposition to any attempt by a federally recognized tribe from outside the State of North Carolina to have lands taken into trust by the Department of the Interior and have those lands deemed eligible for . . . Indian gambling,’ the lawmakers wrote.” [Charlotte Observer, 3/22/19]
Tillis Claimed That The Allegations Against Hegseth Were Serious Enough To Warrant Greater Access To The Report. According to Politico, “Senators have various motives for seeking the report. Some Republicans, such as Collins and North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis, say the claims are serious enough to warrant greater access to the findings. While it’s unlikely the FBI findings would be made public, they could still give Republican senators political cover to vote against Hegseth or support his defense.” [Politico, 2/19/24]
Tillis Claimed That He Encouraged Trump’s Nominees To Be Out In Front Of The FBI Background Check And To Have That Information Shared With At Least Committee Members. According to Politico, “‘I’ve encouraged all of the nominees, number one, be out front on the FBI background check, and you want that information shared at least with committee members,’ said Tillis, a Trump ally.” [Politico, 2/19/24]
Tillis Claimed That He Was Doing His “Due Diligence” On Hegseth’s Nomination Despite Voting To Break The Democratic Filibuster. According to the New York Times, “Senator Thom Tillis, Republican of North Carolina, told reporters on Thursday he was continuing to do his ‘due diligence’ on the nomination, even as he voted to break the Democratic filibuster.” [New York Times, 1/23/25]
Tillis Assured Danielle That If She Signed A Statement Testifying That Hegseth Had An Alcohol-Abuse Problem And Was Abusive To His Second Wife That It Would Carry Weight. According to the Wall Street Journal, “Tillis personally assured Danielle Hegseth in a call on Jan. 19, witnessed by two other people, that if she signed the statement testifying that she believed her former brother-in-law Pete Hegseth has an alcohol-abuse problem and was abusive to his second wife, it would carry weight, and potentially move three votes—his own, along with the votes of Sens. Susan Collins (R., Maine) and Lisa Murkowski (R., Alaska), those people said.” [Wall Street Journal, 1/27/25]
Tillis Claimed That Danielle’s Testimony “Did Carry Weight” And That He Communicated To The White House His Concerns. According to the Wall Street Journal, “In a statement, Tillis didn’t dispute The Wall Street Journal’s reporting about the call. He said Danielle Hegseth’s statement ‘did carry weight, which is why I communicated my concerns to the White House and spent days doing my due diligence and seeing if there were any firsthand corroborating accounts of the sworn statement.’ He continued that he was ‘not able to speak with anyone who provided firsthand corroboration.’” [Wall Street Journal, 1/27/25]
Tillis Claimed That He Did Extensive Research And That His Vote Made “It Clear Where The Facts Ultimately Led.” According to the Wall Street Journal, “Tillis said that he did extensive research including long conversations with Hegseth and his vote ‘makes it clear where the facts ultimately led,’ and that he looks forward to working with the new defense secretary.” [Wall Street Journal, 1/27/25]
Tillis Informed Republican Leaders That He Would Oppose Hegseth On The Final Confirmation Vote. According to Politico, “After voting to advance his confirmation earlier that day, Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) informed GOP leaders that he would oppose Hegseth on final confirmation, effectively killing the nomination. And he wanted them to scrap the vote entirely.” [Politico, 1/28/25]
Republicans Had A Pressure Campaign To Persuade Tillis To Vote For Hegseth’s Confirmation. According to Politico, “What followed was an intense 24-hour pressure campaign in which Senate Republican leaders and Trump’s team — both in the White House and outside MAGA allies — locked arms to personally cajole Tillis to save the president’s controversial nominee, the last battle in a monthslong effort get Hegseth confirmed amid allegations of sexual assault, leadership incompetence and alcohol abuse.” [Politico, 1/28/25]
Tillis Met With Trump And Hegseth While The “MAGA Apparatus” Attacked Tillis As A RINO And Threatened A Primary. According to Politico, “On the inside, the White House went into overdrive to address Tillis’ concerns, putting the senator in touch with the president as well as Hegseth. On the outside, the MAGA apparatus went to work attacking Tillis as a RINO and threatening a primary campaign against him.” [Politico, 1/28/25]
Tillis Asked Thune To Scrap The Hegseth Vote And Thune Refused. According to Politico, “And in the Senate, Thune went to bat for Hegseth. When Tillis asked to scrap the vote, the new majority leader refused — essentially daring him to vote no.” [Politico, 1/28/25]
Tillis Spoke With The Author Of A Whistleblower Report Which Claimed That Hegseth Mismanaged Funds As Well As Hegseth’s Ex-Sister-In-Law. According to Politico, “The senator had spoken personally with the author of a whistleblower report alleging Hegseth had financially mismanaged a veterans’ organization and engaged in drunken carousing on the job. He was in conversations with Hegseth’s ex-sister-in-law, who alleged his second wife feared for her safety around him.” [Politico, 1/28/25]
Tillis Claimed That A Shut Down Of USAID Would Be A Mistake. According to CNN, “‘We have seen inspector general reports, whistleblower and other inputs saying some things need to change there,’ Tillis said. ‘But at the end of day, if you just shut down every program in there, I think it’s a mistake, and it will have policy and political consequences.’” [CNN, 2/4/25]
Tillis Claimed That What Happened To USAID Was “What Happens When People Do Not Listen To Years Of Request To Get On The Core Mission OF USAID.” According to CNN, “GOP Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina told CNN: ‘This is what happens when people do not listen to years of request to get on the core mission of USAID and cut out the distractions and arguably inappropriate programs globally.’ He said that that while the agency has ‘some very important programs,’ the administration is looking at others who ‘are off script.’” [CNN, 2/6/25]
Tillis Claimed That Trump’s Actions Were “Legitimate.” According to NBC News, “‘I think it’s legitimate; it’s just not going to last long-term if it doesn’t make sense,’ said Tillis, who faces re-election next year.” [NBC News, 2/3/25]
Tillis Claimed That Despite Trump Running “Afoul Of The Constitution” That It Was Not Uncommon For Presidents To “Flex A Little Bit.” According to NOTUS, “Some, like North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis, even acknowledged that what Musk is doing is unconstitutional — but ‘nobody should bellyache about that.’ ‘That runs afoul of the Constitution in the strictest sense,’ Tillis said. But ‘it’s not uncommon for presidents to flex a little bit on where they can spend and where they can stop spending.’” [NOTUS, 2/4/25]
Tillis Claimed That He Doesn’t “Begrudge” The Trump Administration For Trying To Push The Limits Of The Executive. According to NBC News, “Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., told NBC News that Democratic presidents have also tried to ‘push the limits’ of their power. ‘They’re going to see how far they can go,’ Tillis said of the Trump administration. ‘I don’t begrudge them for doing it.’” [NBC News, 2/3/25]
Tillis Claimed That Trump’s Actions Were “Legitimate.” According to NBC News, “‘I think it’s legitimate; it’s just not going to last long-term if it doesn’t make sense,’ said Tillis, who faces re-election next year.” [NBC News, 2/3/25]
[VIDEO] Tillis Claimed That Congress Needed To Call Their Power Back From The Executive. “I believe Congress has conveyed a lot of power to the presidential branch that they've got to call back. And, you know, when you have to do that, when it's unpopular, when you got majorities in Congress and you got a president who's willing to get power realigned to where the founding fathers envisioned it. But, you know, everybody people I'm sure listening on this call are frustrated with Biden and the administration's overreach of power. We've got to be prepared to live by a principle that says Congress needs to claw back that power. And we're going to have to make some unpopular proposals when we have an opportunity to do that. And I hope we have a president who actually understands and respects the long term value of separation of powers and clawing that power back.” [Raeford Brown Show, 08/09/23]
Tillis Joined A Letter That Claimed That Biden Freezing Border Wall Construction Was A Violation And Infringement Of Congress’ Power Of The Purse. According to a press release from Senator Thom Tillis, “‘On January 20th, in one of the first official acts of his presidency, Joseph Biden suspended border wall construction and ordered a freeze of funds provided by Congress for that purpose,’ the Senators wrote. ‘In the weeks that followed, operational control of our southern border was compromised and a humanitarian and national security crisis has ensued. The President’s actions directly contributed to this unfortunate, yet entirely avoidable, scenario. They are also a blatant violation of federal law and infringe on Congress’s constitutional power of the purse.’” [Press Release – Senator Thom Tillis, 5/17/21]
Tillis Joined A Letter Claiming That Biden Violated The Impoundment Control Act. According to a press release from Senator Thom Tillis, “The Senators continued, ‘We write regarding these actions. We believe they violated the Impoundment Control Act (ICA), as interpreted by your office, and we request your legal opinion on the matter. Prompt action to end these violations is required to restore order at the border.’” [Press Release – Senator Thom Tillis, 5/17/21]
The GAO Found That Biden’s Freeze Was Legal As It Was For Environmental Reviews And Consultations As Required By Law. According to the Hill, “In its decision, the GAO said that delays for environmental reviews and consultations with stakeholders, which are required by law, were appropriate, and did not constitute an illegal impoundment. ‘Delays in the obligation and expenditure of funds in these circumstances are programmatic delays, not impoundments,’ Jones said.” [Hill, 6/15/21]