Rep. Tom Reed (R-Corning)
WASHINGTON – Congressman Tom Reed (R-Corning) wants to keep the president from over-using his executive authority.
Last week, Reed announced that he has supported two bills in the House that he says would keep the White House in check and in accordance with the Constitution. Reed said the two bills were announced in response to President Obama unilaterally changing laws and failing to enforce ones he disagrees with.
“To me, this isn’t about politics, it’s about recognizing that checks and balances of constitution is clear,” Reed told reporters.
The House recently passed two bills to that Reed said would rein in executive overreach and restore a fair balance of power to the three branches of government. The ENFORCE the Law Act permits Congress to authorize a lawsuit against the Executive Branch for failure to execute the laws. The Faithful Execution of the Law Act requires the Attorney General to report to Congress when any federal officer fails to enforce any federal statue, rule or regulation required of them.
Reed said that Executive overreach is not a partisan issue nor is it unique to President Obama, adding that Congress cannot allow any President – Democrat or Republican – to ignore the limits on executive power spelled out in our Constitution.
If this is really all about high principles, and he genuinely thinks the executive branch is “ignor[ing] the limits on executive power spelled out in our Constitution”, he should introduce articles of impeachment.