McSally to back Trump on emergency declaration

Sen. Martha McSally (R-Ariz.) announced Wednesday she will vote against a resolution blocking President Trump’s national emergency declaration after securing reassurances that no funding for Arizona military construction projects will be diverted for the border wall.

“Arizonans know there is a humanitarian and security crisis at the border – drugs are killing and harming loved ones in communities everywhere,” McSally said in a statement. “Now, it’s Congress’ turn to fully fund border security and our men and women in uniform.”

{mosads}The Arizona Republican said she was assured in conversations with acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan, Trump and Vice President Pence that Trump’s emergency declaration to build the border wall will not impact any military construction projects in Arizona.

“I have spoken with the Acting Secretary of Defense, the President and Vice President to underscore that we must ensure military readiness while also funding border security. As a result, no Arizona military construction projects from Fiscal Year 2019 will be impacted,” she said.

The Senate is poised to pass a resolution this week to block the president’s declaration, with five Republican senators already announcing they will join the body’s 47 Democrats to vote against the legislation. While the resolution is unlikely to get the support needed to override an expected presidential veto, the rebuke will still be embarrassing for Trump.

McSally was appointed to the Senate to fill the late Sen. John McCain’s (R) seat last year after losing the race to replace former Sen. Jeff Flake (R) to Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D). Sinema’s November win was the first Senate win for an Arizona Democrat since 1988.

McSally is up for reelection in 2020. Her vote on the emergency declaration may strengthen her primary bid by aligning her closely with Trump, but will be more controversial in the general election.