Congress of the United States Washington, DE 2051s March 12, 2019 ‘The Honorable Mitch McConnell Majority Leader United States Senate U.S. Capitol Washington, DC 20004 Dear Majority Leader MeConnell, As current and former servicemembers, we are very concerned with disturbing reports that the ‘Trump Administration is planning on using up to $1 billion from Department of Defense military pay and pension accounts to help fund a wasteful and ineffective border wall. The President's abuse of the National Emergencies Act to declare a fake national emergency on our southern border to build a wall he originally said Mexico would pay for should not stand. We may have political differences, but we hope you will join us to pass H.J.Res. 46 to terminate the President's national emergency in order to defend the U.S. Constitution and uphold our solemn duty to support our brave men and women in uniform. Those fundamental American values rise above politics. Congress rejected the President's request to build a massive border wall in the recent FY 2019 Bipartisan Consolidated Appropriations Act (H.J.Res. 31). We joined with you, along with the vast majority of the House and Senate, to vote for this legislation. Despite our differences over border and immigration policy, we came together to do our jobs under the Constitution and fund the federal government. As a fellow Member of the United States Congress who took an oath to defend the Constitution, it is imperative that you urge the Senate to reject the President’s clearly unlawful actions and protect the integrity of our institution, ‘The President's effort to pursue his campaign promises should never come at the expense of supporting servicemembers who risk their ives in defense of our country’s Constitution, including the separation of powers. To this point, we note that Congress increased military pay by 2.6% on a bipartisan basis last year. But President Trump’s willingness to cut funding intended for our military installations and pay and benefits for servicemembers and veterans undermines our nation’s responsibility to support our military families and provide for our nation’s common defense. Our military deserves better. As we have done in the past, we hope you will join us to safeguard our constitutional obligations and support the health, welfare, and earned benefits of American heroes who put their lives on the line to defend our country. They and their families have the eamed the right to be held above petty polities. We ask you to support them and vote for H.J.Res. 46. Sincerely,Ruben Gallego Member of Congress Member of Congress Salud O. Carbajal Gilbert Ray Cisneros. Jr. ‘Member of Congress Member of Congress el Wie Ted Liew Max Rose Member of Congress Member of Congress (LL jobbyL. Rush Member of Congress CC: Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Minority Leader Chuck Schumer