Article II, Section 3, of the U.S. Constitution declares that the President “shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed.” This is an important clause and I am bound by my Oath of Office to help uphold this principle.
Montross, Va. – This past week, Congress took action to strengthen the ability to assert oversight over the Administration. It is an important issue that many of you have been asking me about over email, and especially during my weekly online Q&As. Our Founding Fathers structured our government to have three equal branches. The President's efforts strike an imbalance toward the Executive Branch. It is frustrating when the Executive Branch oversteps its authority by issuing executive orders. I will continue efforts to counter any oversteps. The Congress has a constitutional duty to carry out the duties of the Legislative Branch and conduct oversight and rein in any overreach by the Executive Branch.
The House passed the ENFORCE the Law Act last week, which empowers Congress to pursue legal action against executive overstepping. As the Judiciary Committee summarized: the ENFORCE the Law Act puts a procedure in place to permit the House, or the Senate, to authorize a lawsuit against the Executive Branch for failure to faithfully execute the laws. The legislation also provides for expedited consideration of any such lawsuit, first through a three-judge panel at the federal district court level and then by providing for direct appeal to the United States Supreme Court. This expedited review is crucial in order to ensure that when a lawsuit is brought against the Administration to enforce our Nation’s laws, the courts not only grant Congress standing, but also hear the case on an expedited timeline to prevent the President from stalling the litigation until his term is up.
In addition, the House also passed the Faithful Execution of the Law Act. The purpose of this legislation is common sense; it ensures there is improved transparency and disclosure regarding the Executive Branch’s enforcement of federal law, especially at the Justice Department currently led by Attorney General Eric Holder. This bill enhances efforts to rein in the Justice Department by requiring the Attorney General to report to Congress whenever anyone in the federal government establishes a policy to refrain from enforcing a federal law. The legislation also requires an explanation of the decision to not enforce the law, which I believe is important.
These pieces of legislation are important steps to ensure that our Constitution is followed diligently. Article II, Section 3, of the U.S. Constitution declares that the President “shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed.” This is an important clause and I am bound by my Oath of Office to help uphold this principle.
The main streets of Virginia’s First District are full of ideas to get our economy back on track, and your feedback is critically important to me as I serve you. I can be reached by telephone at (202) 225-4261, through my website (www.wittman.house.gov), on Facebook (www.facebook.com/reprobwittman), and via Twitter (www.twitter.com/robwittman).
Congressman Rob Wittman represents the First District of Virginia. He serves on the House Natural Resources Committee and the House Armed Services Committee where he is the Chairman of the Readiness Subcommittee.
