Congress has a fundamental responsibility to exercise its constitutional power of the purse and ensure funds appropriated by law are fully disbursed. However, the Trump regime has repeatedly violated the Impoundment Control Act by illegally withholding congressionally approved funding for critical programs that support American families and communities. Multiple federal judges have ruled these actions blatantly unconstitutional.
Despite court orders, the regime continues circumventing Congress by using rescissions and potential "pocket rescissions" to claw back funding after the fact. This erosion of Congress' power simply cannot stand.
The White House has demonstrated a brazen disregard for the separation of powers and the rule of law. Senate Republicans have aided and abetted this usurpation by ratifying Trump's worst abuses instead of upholding their constitutional duty as a co-equal branch of government. Why should any member of Congress continue participating in good faith budget negotiations when any bipartisan deal is ripe for the regime to unilaterally undermine down the line?
I therefore demand that Congress refuse to engage in appropriations until the Trump regime resumes fully obligating funds as mandated by the laws Congress has passed. Our founders did not create a monarchy - the president cannot simply wake up and cancel funding he dislikes on a whim.
Congress must reassert its constitutional prerogatives and protect its institutional powers from further encroachment by this lawless regime. Upholding the rule of law and our system of checks and balances should be a paramount concern.
First sent on August 6 by Coleman
