“If there is going to be peace and legislation, there cannot be war and investigation. It just does not work that way.” – President Trump, SOTU 2019
AIN Update
Congress’ powers
of investigation and oversight are necessary for the health and stability of
American democracy. Congressional investigation is not a phenomenon unique to
the current administration. Rather, it has been a mainstay of divided governments
for decades. When initiated on worthy, legitimate grounds and carried out
professionally, such investigations provide a check on the separate branches of
government. When performing this duty, congress should not be met with
retaliation from the administration. A president’s refusal to participate or
cooperate in the legislative process as a form of retribution against the First
Branch is a violation of our nation’s norms. If such action does take place,
Congress should assert its powers to continue the legislative
process through votes and veto overrides. We must not forget that Congress
is the First Branch of government, the one that most represents our diverse republic.
