“We offer two arguments against allowing a president—any president, regardless of party—to circumvent congressional authority.” 26 former members of Congress urge their successors to uphold the Constitution
AIN UPDATE
On Feb. 25, the Project on Government
Oversight (POGO) published an open letter to current Republican members of Congress signed by 26
of their predecessors. In the wake of President Trump’s declaration of a
national emergency, the letter makes two arguments grounded in the duty of
members to uphold their oath of office, to “support and defend the
Constitution of the United States.” The 26 former members—all Republican—call on
current members to realize that this moment transcends party
politics.
“To
you, we ask this question: what will you do when a president of another party
uses the precedent you are establishing to impose policies to which you are
unalterably opposed? There is no way around this difficulty: what powers are
ceded to a president whose policies you support may also be used by presidents
whose policies you abhor.”
Congressmen on
both sides of the aisle and in both chambers should continue considering
measures to reassert Congress’ powers as the First Branch, and act with firm
authority in defense of Article I of the U.S. Constitution, which
established Congress as the font of all federal authority.
The
full letter can be read here.
