[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 26 (Friday, February 7, 2025)]
[House]
[Page H571]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     LOOMING CONSTITUTIONAL CRISIS

  (Mr. LEVIN asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, in a few short weeks, President Trump has 
unleashed the beginnings a constitutional crisis. He is gutting the 
Federal Government and trying to usurp Congress' congressional 
authority of the power of the purse.
  President Trump is flouting the law, and he has deputized unelected 
billionaire in chief Elon Musk, who is accountable to no one. They are 
dismantling Federal agencies and are attempting to freeze Federal funds 
already allocated by Congress.
  Elon Musk, and apparently many of my colleagues, may not know this, 
but let me be clear: Only Congress, the elected Representatives of the 
American people, can authorize programs or appropriate funds. 
Everything that is happening is leading to one thing: the great 
billionaire takeover of our government to line the pockets of the very 
few.
  This is not normal. This is not efficiency, and we cannot let this 
happen. My grandfather didn't fight in World War II against fascism to 
see our country overrun by autocracy. I will honor his legacy every day 
by fighting to defend our Constitution.
  I implore my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to do the same. 
America is worth the fight.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Members are reminded to refrain from 
engaging in personalities toward the President.

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