Opinion: Trump is undermining Congress’s power of the purse. Republicans must vote to stop it.
By Marc A. Thiessen Marc A. Thiessen Columnist focusing on foreign and domestic policy Bio Follow Columnist March 7 at 3:27 PM In February 2016, while Donald Trump was busy sweeping the Republican presidential field, Sen. Mike Lee led a group of conservatives in launching the Article 1 Project — an initiative urging members of Congress to reassert their powers under Article 1 of the Constitution. “Congress has delegated too much of its legislative authority to the executive branch . . .
One would think that constitutional conservatives would be leading the fight in the Senate to reverse the president’s extraordinary emergency declaration and reclaim Congress’s power of the purse. So far, that’s not happening. Instead, we’re seeing plenty of excuses, with Republicans arguing that what the president is doing is technically legal, even if he should not have that kind of power.
Some Republicans are talking about amending the National Emergencies Act to have all emergencies end automatically in 30 days unless Congress votes affirmatively to extend the emergency — shifting power back from the executive to Congress. Fair enough. But up until now, such a law has not been necessary, because no president has abused his powers under the National Emergencies Act.
Congress can debate whether the act should be amended in light of that abuse. But that does not absolve individual members of their responsibility to address this specific abuse of power. Some object that a vote on the resolution of disapproval is little more than a “show vote” because the president will veto it and it lets Democrats pretend that they care about separation of powers without doing anything real to address the problem.
Singapore Latest News, Singapore Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Trump should ignore House subpoenas after Mueller’s report, 40% of Republicans thinkPoll of American voters finds large portion of Republican voters believe President Donald Trump should resist attempts to subpoena his administration when special counsel Robert Mueller delivers his investigation’s final report.
Read more »
Republicans reject calls to probe Trump role in hush-money paymentsPresident Donald Trump may have committed crimes over a scheme to pay off women alleging extramarital affairs -- but Senate Republicans say they have no reason to look into it.
Read more »
Analysis | ‘Shame’: Democrats slam Republicans over Trump judicial nominee’s support for overturning ObamacareAnalysis | 'Shame': Democrats slam Republicans over Trump judicial nominee’s support for overturning Obamacare
Read more »
Trump is 'golden calf' Republicans 'bow before,' former RNC chairman says'What’s happened, manifested at CPAC, is a new form of idolatry,' former RNC Chair Michael Steele said.
Read more »
Trump says Republicans who oppose emergency declaration are in ‘great jeopardy’Three Republican senators have publicly said they will vote against the emergency declaration to build a southern border wall.
Read more »
‘We’re not going to turn on our own’: Republicans rally around Trump as threats mountAcquiescence to the controversial president is now the defining feature of the GOP as the 2020 campaign begins to kick into gear.
Read more »
Opinion | Trump Base Wants Immigration CompromiseOpinion: Trump’s backers are the likeliest to support a wall-for-DACA deal, writes TimmerKane
Read more »
Opinion | It made sense for Trump to walk away in HanoiIf dialogue with North Korea resumes, it will be on a firmer, more realistic basis.
Read more »
Opinion | Will the Democratic push for reparations benefit Trump?The idea illustrates a worsening pattern of behavior among congressional Democrats, including presidential candidates.
Read more »
Opinion | High time to interview Kelly and many other former Trump officialsOpinion: High time to interview Kelly and many other former Trump officials
Read more »
Opinion | Meet the man who could bring down TrumpYou may not know Allen Weisselberg yet, but you will.
Read more »