Congress blocked the US President from using a national emergency to reroute £2.7 billion ($3.6 billion) in military funding for a wall on the Mexican border. Mr Trump was accused of behaving like a dictator as he tried to access the funds during Tuesday’s debate. The Democrat-controlled House of Representatives voted by 245 to 182 for the first resolution to block Mr Trump from using the emergency powers.
Republicans claimed thousands of Americans were dying each year from illegal drugs at the border.
Thirteen Republicans voted with Democrats against Mr Trump’s plan, with the battle now moving to the Senate, which has a Republican majority of 53 to 47.
Mr Trump vowed to use his veto to overrule the vote with a two-thirds majority needed to override a presidential veto.
Tom Malinowski, 53, a Democratic member from New Jersey, told the House: “The president has immense powers but he cannot spend money unless we, the people’s representatives in Congress, have agreed that he can.”
The US President claimed there is a “crisis” at the Mexican border.
In all, his emergency declaration would free almost £6bn ($8bn) from the Pentagon budget for his wall.
Mr Trump had originally wanted £17.28 bn ($23bn) to build the barrier along the border, with £1.03 bn ($1.375bn) allotted by Congress for the barriers.
He declared an emergency to bypass Congress and build the wall using funding for the military.
But Democrats claim Mr Trump’s declaration is unconstitutional.
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi said on Monday: “This isn’t about the border. This is about the constitution of the United States.
“This is not about politics. It’s not about partisanship. It’s about patriotism.”
Some Republican Senators fear Mr Trump’s move sets a dangerous precedent.
Vice-President Mike Pence met members on Tuesday over the escalating crisis.