Download facebook video The GOP spent 7 years bashing the Affordable Care Act –despite the

WATCH: Senator Patrick Leahy explains how bipartisan action helped keep government open. Now, President Donald J. Trump is shredding the Constitution in declaring a national emergency.

Why is he throwing a temper tantrum and changing his mind? #FakeTrumpEmergency

Senate Republicans OPPOSED Donald J. Trump's plan for a national emergency declaration to fund his wall he said Mexico would pay for.

Declaring a national emergency would be a lawless act, a gross abuse of the power of the presidency, and a desperate attempt to distract from the fact that President Donald J. Trump Trump broke his core promise to have Mexico pay for his wall.

Declaring a national emergency would be a lawless act, a gross abuse of the power of the presidency, and a desperate attempt to distract from the fact that President Donald J. Trump Trump broke his core promise to have Mexico pay for his wall.

Government shutdowns don’t work.

Government shutdowns don’t work. I hope Donald J. Trump has learned that lesson once & for all. I hope we never go down the road of shutdowns again. The American people suffer & very little is ever accomplished. The President should sign this bill.

“Who brings a bill to the floor that you intend to vote against?” —Senator Sheldon Whitehouse blasting Republicans’ refusal to deal with climate change

“This morning, I challenge Senator Mitch McConnell to say that our climate change crisis is real, that it is caused by humans, and that Congress needs to act.” —Senator Chuck Schumer

U.S. Senator Tina Smith

During the longest federal government shutdown in history, thousands of Americans who serve as contractors to the federal government lost over one month’s pay, through no fault of their own. These are people who work as security guards and clean office buildings, and work shoulder to shoulder with f...

Senator Chuck Schumer

Since Senator Mitch McConnell became Majority Leader, there has not been one bill to meaningfully reduce carbon emissions. I’m challenging Senate GOP to agree to these 3 principles: 1. Climate change is real 2. It's caused by humans 3. Congress needs to act

“When Mr. Barr writes that President Trump has, ‘complete authority to start or stop a law enforcement proceeding,’ we ought to be on alert.” —Patty Murray lays out why she cannot support President Trump’s Attorney General nominee

“While I hope I’m wrong—I hope I’m very wrong—it is my belief that President Trump used this appointment as an opportunity to protect himself rather than the constitutional rights of all Americans.” —Senator Tom Carper

“Will he put first the interests of the American people or of President Donald Trump?” “And unfortunately, I am left with deep concerns, doubts and questions that are disqualifying.” —Senator Richard Blumenthal

“Mr. Barr has not demonstrated that he understands the fierce urgency of this moment in our history and of the imperative for the AG to be deeply disturbed by injustice and urgently seek justice.” —Senator Cory Booker

“I fear that Mr. Barr's long-held views on executive power would essentially be weaponized by Donald J. Trump, a man who we know derides any limits on his authority.” —Senator Patrick Leahy

Senator Amy Klobuchar lays out why she cannot vote for Barr to be President Trump’s Attorney General

“We need an attorney general who will lead the Justice Department without fear or favor and who will serve the constitution and the American people, even if it means standing up to a president.” —Senator Dick Durbin

We need an Attorney General who can assure the public that he will stand up to a president who is dead-set on protecting his political interests above all norms or rules of conduct.

We need an Attorney General who can assure the public that he will stand up to a president who is dead-set on protecting his political interests above all norms or rules of conduct. I remain unconvinced that Mr. Barr is prepared to meet this moment.

Barr has long endorsed a view that the president is an all-powerful executive, restrained by very little, least of all by congress. This is a very unusual view for the AG to have. —Senator Mazie K. Hirono