WASHINGTON — Amid nationwide protests and Republican skepticism, Democrats are calling for an immediate vote in Congress to undo President Trump’s immigration ban.
“This evening, I will ask for a vote on the floor of the Senate to repeal this,” Senate Democratic Leader Charles Schumer told NBC’s “Today” Show” on Monday.”
Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Cal.) has drafted legislation to rescind the executive order, while Rep. Grace Meng (D-Queens) plans to introduce legislation in the House this week to stop funding for Trump’s refugee ban.
But Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-Manhattan) believes it will be up to judges, not lawmakers, to end the immigration ban.
“I think it will be the courts more than Congress that will knock this down because it’s not only dangerously stupid, but it’s also unconstitutional and flatly illegal,” Nadler told MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.”
Schumer also wants to delay the confirmation vote of Rex Tillerson for Secretary of State until the former oil executive weighs in on Trump’s immigration ban.
A procedural vote to advance Tillerson’s nomination was scheduled for Monday night in the Senate.
A spokesman for Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said no one has yet to see the “phantom bill” to undo the travel ban. It would require “unanimous consent” of the Senate, not just McConnell approval, to throw a bill on the floor for a vote and bypass the committee process.
Schumer and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi will also hold a 6 p.m. rally tonight at the Supreme Court with refugees to protest the ban.