Wars of choice, numerous shifting tariffs, and sanctions targeting nations worldwide, combined with an unprecedented volume of executive orders, have defined the first year of Donald Trump’s second presidency. This has been carried out predominantly by the executive branch with little resistance from the legislative branch.
Over time, Congress has gradually handed over increasing authority to the executive. During the past year, this trend has intensified to the point where calling the legislature a “coequal” branch of the United States government sounds more like a punch line than an accurate description.
In a Washington Post article published on Tuesday, Liz Goodwin outlines the decline of congressional power during Trump’s second term. Discussing the current state of Congress, Goodwin noted, “While lawmakers once jealously guarded their constitutionally endowed power over spending, trade and war — regularly checking the executive — Republicans in the 119th Congress have cast themselves as helpmeets to the president instead.”
A challenge facing Republican members of Congress who have chosen to stand by as the president acts unilaterally is that his popularity among voters has waned. For many of these lawmakers identified as Trump’s “helpmeets,” this alignment could jeopardize their chances of reelection. Their potential exit, combined with others opting not to undertake difficult reelection battles, might result in a stronger push by Congress to reclaim its authority when the new session begins in January.
Original article: ronpaulinstitute.org
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