A bill to stop US President Donald Trump's declaration of a national emergency to build a border wall with Mexico has passed the House of Representatives.
Democrats pushed the measure through the chamber by 245-182 on Tuesday, with 13 Republicans joining them.
Passage now sets up a vote in the Republican-controlled Senate where the resolution's chances are slimmer, but improving.
Trump has vowed to veto the measure if it passes both chambers of Congress and reaches his desk. Trump argues he has the power to proclaim a national emergency to unilaterally direct existing money for building a border wall that Congress has refused to fully fund.
Overriding such a veto in Congress would require two-thirds majorities in both chambers, making it highly unlikely, said lawmakers.
President Trump has vowed to veto the bill stopping his US national emergency declaration if it reaches him. Source: AP
Following a closed meeting of Republican senators and Vice President Mike Pence, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell refused to predict the outcome, including whether senators ultimately could override a Trump veto.
McConnell said Republican senators and Pence held a "robust, vigorous discussion" and that he had not "reached a total conclusion" over whether Trump's emergency proclamation was legal.
Trump originally promised that Mexico would pay for the wall, but after Mexico refused, he asked US taxpayers to foot the bill for a project Democrats say is unneeded and will not be effective.
He believes he needs more than the $US1.4 billion Congress provided for barrier construction on the border.
A woman walks on the beach next to the border wall topped with razor wire in Tijuana, Mexico. Source: AAP
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