[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 126 (Wednesday, July 23, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E722]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    INTRODUCTION OF A RESOLUTION REAFFIRMING THE PRINCIPLES OF THE 
                   CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN GARAMENDI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 23, 2025

  Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, today I introduced a House resolution 
along with my colleague, Representative Lizzie Fletcher (TX-08), to 
reaffirm the principles of the Constitution of the United States of 
America, including the separation of powers, checks and balances, the 
independence of the judiciary, and the power of Congress to control 
spending, declare war, and conduct oversight. This resolution also 
reaffirms the key individual protections enshrined in the Constitution, 
including due process and equal protection under the law.
  This resolution comes six months into President Donald Trump's second 
term, a period which has been marked by escalating erosions of 
constitutional norms and executive overreach by his administration.
  Article I of the Constitution grants Congress broad powers, including 
the power to declare war, regulate commerce, raise revenue, appropriate 
funds and conduct oversight. For decades, Congress has gradually ceded 
more of these Constitutional responsibilities to the executive branch. 
As our country's founders warned, this has created a dangerous 
situation ripe for Presidential abuse. It is essential that Congress 
reclaim its legitimate authority as the first branch of government.
  My resolution declares that appropriations made by Congress are law, 
not mere suggestions. It quotes James Madison, who said ``this power 
over the purse may, in fact, be regarded as the most complete and 
effectual weapon with which any constitution can arm the immediate 
representatives of the people.'' I urge my colleagues to hear this 
message today.
  This resolution is endorsed by more than a dozen public interest and 
legal advocacy organizations, who stand united in reasserting the 
essential roles of the legislative and judicial branches and in 
declaring unequivocally that no individual--especially the President--
is above the law.
  This resolution affirms what should be nonpartisan truths: that the 
separation of powers is vital for a functioning republic, that Congress 
controls the public purse, and that the rule of law and the protection 
it affords are for everyone. In the face of escalating threats to our 
constitutional order, Congress must not remain silent. This resolution 
is a declaration of principle and a call to action.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members of the House to cosponsor this 
important resolution.

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