Skip to main content

The context you need, when you need it

When news breaks, you need to understand what actually matters — and what to do about it. At Vox, our mission to help you make sense of the world has never been more vital. But we can’t do it on our own.

We rely on readers like you to fund our journalism. Will you support our work and become a Vox Member today?

Join now

Watch Grassley get angry when McConnell interrupts him to announce Trump’s emergency declaration

“I hope the next time I get a chance to have the floor, I won’t be interrupted!”

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) began shouting when he was asked to yield in the middle of giving a speech about renewable energy on the Senate floor on Thursday afternoon.

“I hope the next time I get a chance to have the floor, I won’t be interrupted!” Grassley said.

But it turns out Grassley was interrupted for an important reason. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell took to the floor to announce that President Donald Trump plans to sign a bipartisan border security bill that will keep the government open, but will also declare a national emergency in hopes of bypassing Congress to get more money for his border wall.

Though you can’t hear it on the video, Grassley reportedly told McConnell, “You’re rude. You’re just simply rude.” But within minutes McConnell apologized and the two shook hands.

McConnell reportedly privately counseled Trump against declaring a national emergency a few weeks back, but he announced on Thursday that he’s “going to support the national emergency declaration.”

Trump made clear earlier this week that he’s not happy about the fact that the border security deal only allocates $1.375 billion for border barriers. But an emergency declaration is sure to face legal challenges, and Trump has done himself no favors by publicly admitting his deliberations about whether to declare one hinged on politics, not conditions at the southern border.

Related


The news moves fast. To stay updated, follow Aaron Rupar on Twitter, and read more of Vox’s policy and politics coverage.

More in Politics

Podcasts
The Supreme Court abortion pills case, explainedThe Supreme Court abortion pills case, explained
Podcast
Podcasts

How Louisiana brought mifepristone back to SCOTUS.

By Peter Balonon-Rosen and Sean Rameswaram
Politics
Trump’s China policy is nearly the exact opposite of what everyone expectedTrump’s China policy is nearly the exact opposite of what everyone expected
Politics

As Trump heads to China, attention and resources are being shifted from Asia to yet another war in the Middle East.

By Joshua Keating
Politics
Are far-right politics just the new normal?Are far-right politics just the new normal?
Politics

Liberals are preparing for a longer war with right-wing populists than they once expected.

By Zack Beauchamp
The Logoff
Flavored vapes doomed Trump’s FDA headFlavored vapes doomed Trump’s FDA head
The Logoff

Why Marty Makary is out at the FDA, briefly explained.

By Cameron Peters
Politics
Virginia Democrats’ irresponsible new plan to save their gerrymanderVirginia Democrats’ irresponsible new plan to save their gerrymander
Politics

Democrats just handed the Supreme Court’s Republicans a loaded weapon.

By Ian Millhiser
The Logoff
Can Trump lower gas prices?Can Trump lower gas prices?
The Logoff

What suspending the gas tax would mean for you, briefly explained.

By Cameron Peters