Senator Baldwin Cosponsors Legislation to Block and Rescind President Trump’s Discriminatory Executive Order

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin has cosponsored legislation that would both block and rescind President Trump’s discriminatory executive order. 

“The President’s sloppy actions created chaos, disorder and confusion. There have been media reports that his own Cabinet secretaries, relevant agencies and congressional committee leaders were left in the dark and not consulted before President Trump signed this order. President Trump even went so far as to fire the acting Attorney General for questioning the legality of his executive order. What we really need is extreme vetting of President Trump’s executive orders before he signs them. With the stroke of his pen, President Trump’s travel ban will make ISIS stronger, weaken America’s counterterrorism efforts and cost lives,” said Senator Baldwin. “Welcoming refugees strengthens America's connection with freedom, the foundation of who we are as a people. It is wrong to turn our back on our American values, and the rest of the world. I believe we are better than this, so I am proud to cosponsor legislation to block and rescind these irresponsible and shameful actions that run counter to our American values, the Constitution, our national security and economic interests.”

First, Senator Baldwin cosponsored legislation introduced by Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT), a member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee and U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, that would block President Trump’s harmful restriction on refugees and immigrants from certain Muslim-majority nations in the Middle East. Specifically, the bill would withhold any funding to enforce the executive order and declares it illegal based on the 1965 Immigration and Nationality Act, which banned discrimination against immigrants on the basis of national origin.

In addition, Senator Baldwin cosponsored legislation introduced by Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, that would rescind President Trump’s discriminatory executive order.

Last night, Senate Democratic Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) requested that the Senate immediately vote on the Feinstein legislation. The unanimous consent request was denied by Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR). Under Senate rules, if any senator objects, the bill can’t move forward.