Opinion | Why Won’t Congress Use Its Power?

Rather a lot occurred this week. “Melissa got here ashore like no different hurricane.” “Ordering the Pentagon to renew nuclear testing.” “Indiana is diving into the nationwide gerrymandering struggle.” “Restructured right into a for-profit firm.” Right here’s one factor you shouldn’t miss. On Tuesday, the Senate voted to dam the tariffs that President Trump had imposed on Brazil, which had been contributing to increased costs on espresso, beef and bananas. So the president doesn’t actually have the ability to declare tariffs. Trump made it occur by declaring a nationwide emergency over the summer season. “What do you consider if you consider an emergency? You consider a struggle, a twister, a famine. You don’t consider commerce coverage.” However what’s outstanding right here is the Senate vote, which was 52 to 48. Which means 5 Republicans joined the Democrats to dam Trump’s tariffs, which makes you surprise: If these Republicans can stand as much as Trump’s tariffs, why aren’t they displaying spine on stopping tens of millions of People from going hungry? “SNAP advantages for tens of millions of People is about to be suspended.” Stopping well being care prices from spiking for 20 million People. “May see the value they pay enhance by a median of 75 %.” Stopping the navy from unilaterally blowing up boats and killing individuals when Congress hasn’t declared struggle. “That is the sixth boat the U.S. navy has struck in worldwide waters, killing at the least 29 individuals.” Utilizing their energy of oversight to stop abuse by federal companies. “Federal brokers descending on a Halloween parade in Chicago.” The reply can solely be that congressional Republicans are OK with such issues, as a result of they’ve the ability to cease them they usually simply aren’t doing it. Keep in mind, the founders gave Congress among the most necessary powers of presidency, together with the ability of the purse, the ability of struggle and the ability to control international commerce. They wished Congress to be essentially the most dominant department. As we speak, it’s the weakest. But it surely’s their alternative. And the truth that the Senate discovered sufficient of a backbone to dam Trump’s tariffs solely exhibits how little they’ve completed during the last 9 months. It’s true that what we’re seeing from the chief department could be surprising, however what we’re not seeing from Congress ought to be simply as terrifying.