Opinion | Why Received’t Congress Use Its Energy?

So much 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 facility to declare tariffs. Trump made it occur by declaring a nationwide emergency over the summer time. “What do you consider once you consider an emergency? You consider a battle, a twister, a famine. You don’t consider commerce coverage.” However what’s exceptional right here is the Senate vote, which was 52 to 48. Meaning 5 Republicans joined the Democrats to dam Trump’s tariffs, which makes you marvel: 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. “Might see the value they pay enhance by a mean of 75 p.c.” Stopping the army from unilaterally blowing up boats and killing folks when Congress hasn’t declared battle. “That is the sixth boat the U.S. army has struck in worldwide waters, killing at the very least 29 folks.” Utilizing their energy of oversight to forestall abuse by federal businesses. “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 facility to cease them they usually simply aren’t doing it. Bear in mind, the founders gave Congress a number of the most essential powers of presidency, together with the facility of the purse, the facility of battle and the facility to control international commerce. They needed Congress to be essentially the most dominant department. At present, it’s the weakest. However it’s their selection. And the truth that the Senate discovered sufficient of a backbone to dam Trump’s tariffs solely exhibits how little they’ve accomplished during the last 9 months. It’s true that what we’re seeing from the manager department could be stunning, however what we’re not seeing from Congress must be simply as terrifying.