Many of us remember the old Schoolhouse Rock cartoon that has taught so many children how “just a bill” can become a law: the House of Representatives and Senate pass a bill which then gets sent to the President’s desk where he either signs the bill into law or vetoes it. Thanks to our system of checks and balances, if the bill is vetoed, the legislative branch has the chance to override the Presidential veto with two thirds vote in both the House and Senate, which is extremely rare.

Unfortunately, it appears many of my colleagues need to re-watch that old classic and brush up on their civics lessons. This week the Democrat-controlled House passed H.J.Res. 46, a misguided resolution to terminate President Donald Trump’s national emergency declaration and obstruct his statutory authority. Even if the bill where to somehow pass in the Senate my colleagues know full well the President will veto the bill which he is his right. And knowing they cannot override that veto, it is clear this is a purely political move.

America is facing a crisis at the border and across the nation. Here in Missouri’s third district, the crisis has tragically hit too close to home. I’ve previously shared the devastating story of Randy Nordman, who lost his life at the hands of Pablo Serrano-Vitorino, an illegal immigrant with a documented history of violent behavior. Last week, I was able to meet Randy’s wife Julie. Listening to her story, I was heartbroken. Many Americans believe securing the border only affects Texans, Californians, and other border states, but Julie’s story exemplifies the impacts on all Americans, including our local communities right here in Missouri.

Originally deported in 2003 after threatening to kill the mother of his three children, Serrano-Vitorino once again illegally crossed our southern border. Even after several encounters with law enforcement in 2014 and 2015 he remained in the U.S. illegally due to weak border security and the immigration policies of the previous administration. Those policies turned a blind eye to the obvious threats of illegal immigration, and it cost the Nordman family Randy’s life. Thankfully we now have a President who is taking action to keep our citizens safe.

As President Trump said to the nation, “This is a choice between right and wrong, justice and injustice. This is about whether we fulfill our sacred duty to the American citizens we serve.” America is facing a crisis at the border and instead of working to protect those who elected us, my colleagues decided to waste time on a purely political resolution this week. The President is right to do everything he can to protect Americans, and I wholeheartedly support his efforts to secure our nation.