[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 166 (Monday, October 21, 2019)]
[House]
[Pages H8264-H8265]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
EMOLUMENTS CLAUSE IS NOT PHONY
(Mr. COHEN asked and was given permission to address the House for 1
minute.)
Mr. COHEN. Madam Speaker, today, President Trump held a press
conference and referred to the Emoluments Clause in the Constitution as
the ``phony Emoluments Clause.''
I take an oath to support the Constitution, as does he, as do all 435
of us. I am also the chairman of the Constitution, Civil Rights and
Civil Liberties Subcommittee of the Judiciary Committee.
I take umbrage at his remarks. The Emoluments Clause was first put in
the Articles of Confederation, and before that, 100 years earlier, the
Dutch put it in their documents to protect from foreign influence.
It was said at the Constitutional Convention that a violation of the
Emoluments Clause could result in impeachment.
No wonder President Trump thinks it is phony.
There is nothing phony about the Emoluments Clause, the impeachment
clause, Article I, Congress' powers, or separation of the three
branches of government.
Madam Speaker, I respect the Constitution, and I wish the President
would as well.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Members are reminded to refrain from
engaging in personalities toward the President.
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