The American Press is given a Civics Lesson

[RocksInMyHead]

What they are doing is agreeing with the president. It appears to me that oversight means oppose to you. They are only exercising oversight if they oppose.

I know you oppose what the President is doing. I hate to break it to you but Congress doesn't. As we saw during his speech. The majority in Congress is utilizing their oversight to signal that they support his actions and as time goes on they will work to pass laws which further supports them. Oversight complete.

"Oversight" does not mean surrendering your responsibility to review something. If you agree with it, fine - you review it and approve it. You don't say "nah, I trust you, go ahead".

 

[rjs330]

As you probably know, the White House believes they have the power to pause funding that has been authorized by Congress to spend on a specific purpose.

And I think they do. Did Congress give the a deadline as to when it had to be spent by? Did Congress tell them a certain amount had to be spent each month?

Their aim is to pause funding until the target agency or function is simply defunct. USAID, Dept of Eduction, etc....

I think the aim is get control of the waste and fraud. To make sure the money is going to be spent wisely instead of trans surgeries, circumcision, and foreign seseme street or The United Climate Fund or whatever and whatever other nonsense these agencies are spending our money on.

I may not agree on exactly how it's being done. I do think they are moving too fast. Moving fast with change causes a lot of pushback. But then we are talking about a gigantic bloated bureaucracy. Maybe it's more necessary than I realize. Time will tell. It's pretty hard to know anything after only a couple of months.

 

[rjs330]

"Oversight" does not mean surrendering your responsibility to review something. If you agree with it, fine - you review it and approve it. You don't say "nah, I trust you, go ahead".

Well Congress is supportive of the actions of the executive. They mist certainly are not responsible to review everything the executive branch does in regard to the agencies and funding they authorized. Congress does not have review over the number of employees an agency has to have. They dont even have review over how the dollars they provided are spent on a daily basis. The POWER of the executive rests in the president not Congress. If they don't like what he's doing they can earmark money like 10 billion has to go to Rwanda for sex change operations. Or they can pass a law that says the president can't make any decision without approval of Congress. But that would be dumb.

Congress doesnt and shouldn't have the type if power of oversight you mention. He wouldn't get anything done.

 

[RocksInMyHead]

Congress doesnt and shouldn't have the type if power of oversight you mention. He wouldn't get anything done.

I'm not proposing that Congress review everything the Executive branch does. There are specific review responsibilities that Congress has explicitly surrendered though, as well as agencies created by act of Congress that they have allowed to be dismantled without changing the law. It seems to me that they're trying to avoid putting their names on any of these actions while shouting their approval. That, again, is not "oversight."

 

[rjs330]

I'm not proposing that Congress review everything the Executive branch does. There are specific review responsibilities that Congress has explicitly surrendered though, as well as agencies created by act of Congress that they have allowed to be dismantled without changing the law. It seems to me that they're trying to avoid putting their names on any of these actions while shouting their approval. That, again, is not "oversight."

Sure it is. When you approve of an action there is no need to review anything. There is no oversight needed. When you have a question on whether or not something is correct, then you provide review to make sure, IF IT IS IN YOUR PURVIEW. Much of what Trump.is doing is NOT in the putview of Congress. And if it is they seem to be fine with it.

 

[RocksInMyHead]

Sure it is. When you approve of an action there is no need to review anything. There is no oversight needed.

You cannot know that you approve of an action until you have reviewed it.

When you have a question on whether or not something is correct, then you provide review to make sure, IF IT IS IN YOUR PURVIEW. Much of what Trump.is doing is NOT in the putview of Congress.

That's fine. But they should still maintain oversight on the things that are under their purview.

Republicans should keep in mind that setting these precedents while they are in power means that, should Democrats find themselves in the majority again, they'll be able to do the same things. If you wouldn't be happy with Democrats doing this for a Democratic president, you probably shouldn't be cheering it when the President is a Republican.

 

[wing2000]

And I think they do. Did Congress give the a deadline as to when it had to be spent by? Did Congress tell them a certain amount had to be spent each month?

That's not how it works.

 

[rjs330]

That's not how it works.

I know, that's my point. Suspending spending is not a violation of anything since there is no requirement to spend a certain amount on a deadline or a mandatory spending each month.

You and I may agree with the lack of communication is not good, and at this point I do see that as an issue, rhe fact that there isn't deadlines or mandatory amounts that have to be spent at certain times then a suspending of spending is fine. The money will have to be spent eventually. But it can be spent under the control of the executive as to where it goes and how much goes to each project.

 

[FAITH-IN-HIM]

And I think they do. Did Congress give the a deadline as to when it had to be spent by? Did Congress tell them a certain amount had to be spent each month?

I think the aim is get control of the waste and fraud. To make sure the money is going to be spent wisely instead of trans surgeries, circumcision, and foreign seseme street or The United Climate Fund or whatever and whatever other nonsense these agencies are spending our money on.

I may not agree on exactly how it's being done. I do think they are moving too fast. Moving fast with change causes a lot of pushback. But then we are talking about a gigantic bloated bureaucracy. Maybe it's more necessary than I realize. Time will tell. It's pretty hard to know anything after only a couple of months.

While I do not agree with all the budget cuts, I commend the Trump administration for its rapid pace in reducing the size of various departments. For the past 50 years, GOP candidates have pledged to balance the budget and cut spending, but no actions were taken once they assumed office. Previous Republican presidents expanded government and increased expenditure. However, this time, President Trump is fulfilling his campaign promises.

For the past 50 years, Americans have debated spending cuts, balanced budgets, and the significance of various departments. However, these discussions have largely been theoretical. This time, the cuts will be tangible. Once implemented, we will definitively determine the importance or irrelevant of disability funding provided by the Department of Education to states. After the reduction in the Department of Education's budget, if public school lunch programs are cut, we will then ascertain whether these lunches are essential or merely an unnecessary expenditure of taxpayer money.

If the SNAP programs or unemployment benefits are cut, which has been on the Conservative agenda for many years, Americans may evaluate the effectiveness of these programs after six to eight months. It is important to note that 7 out of the top 10 states that depend on SNAP are Red states. Similarly, 7 out of the top 10 states reliant on federal aid are Deep Red states. Therefore, the impact of these cuts will be felt not in Blue states like California or New York City, but rather in states such as Alabama and Mississippi.

I commend the Trump administration's efforts to cut these programs and departments. Let America see if these federal entities are necessary or part of a liberal utopia.

 

[Pommer]

I'm not proposing that Congress review everything the Executive branch does. There are specific review responsibilities that Congress has explicitly surrendered though, as well as agencies created by act of Congress that they have allowed to be dismantled without changing the law. It seems to me that they're trying to avoid putting their names on any of these actions while shouting their approval. That, again, is not "oversight."

Should it come to pass that Congress’ will is directly thwarted by a Presidential action and the House decides not to acquiesce to the President’s wishes, only then will things come to a head.
Until such time, the House seemingly wants the President to do as he sees fit.

It still sort of fits within the Constitutional framework, though it hasn’t been the norm, (both the Executive and Legislative branches wanting the President to have oversight over Congress’ explicit stated wishes (laws).

 

[wing2000]

While I do not agree with all the budget cuts, I commend the Trump administration for its rapid pace in reducing the size of various departments. For the past 50 years, GOP candidates have pledged to balance the budget and cut spending, but no actions were taken once they assumed office. Previous Republican presidents expanded government and increased expenditure. However, this time, President Trump is fulfilling his campaign promises.

For the past 50 years, Americans have debated spending cuts, balanced budgets, and the significance of various departments. However, these discussions have largely been theoretical. This time, the cuts will be tangible. Once implemented, we will definitively determine the importance or irrelevant of disability funding provided by the Department of Education to states. After the reduction in the Department of Education's budget, if public school lunch programs are cut, we will then ascertain whether these lunches are essential or merely an unnecessary expenditure of taxpayer money.

If the SNAP programs or unemployment benefits are cut, which has been on the Conservative agenda for many years, Americans may evaluate the effectiveness of these programs after six to eight months. It is important to note that 7 out of the top 10 states that depend on SNAP are Red states. Similarly, 7 out of the top 10 states reliant on federal aid are Deep Red states. Therefore, the impact of these cuts will be felt not in Blue states like California or New York City, but rather in states such as Alabama and Mississippi.

I commend the Trump administration's efforts to cut these programs and departments. Let America see if these federal entities are necessary or part of a liberal utopia.

The way in which this Administration has excecuted the cuts is causing great harm to the impacted employees and the people whom they server. Arbitrarily cutting people based on a job describtion or the parent department's description is stupid and cruel.

 

[FAITH-IN-HIM]

The way in which this Administration has excecuted the cuts is causing great harm to the impacted employees and the people whom they server. Arbitrarily cutting people based on a job describtion or the parent department's description is stupid and cruel.

Seventy percent of federal employees outside Washington DC are Conservatives. They support candidates who aim to downsize the federal government, illustrating the idea of reaping what you sow.

Seven of the top ten states that rely on federal aid and SNAP want to cut these programs. Politics has become reality, thanks to President Trump.

 

[Perpetual Student]

The Constitutional system we live under, assumes that Congress would fight to maintain those powers ceded to it by the Constitution.

By allowing the Executive Branch to assume the power-of-the-purse, Congress abrogates their duties, putting the Institution in peril of losing it forever.

Not forever. Just until you have a Democrat president facing a Republican majority.

 

[Vambram]

Steven Miller portends to give a civics lesson?

Is that a joke?

Nope.

 

[Vambram]

Republicans should keep in mind that setting these precedents while they are in power means that, should Democrats find themselves in the majority again, they'll be able to do the same things. If you wouldn't be happy with Democrats doing this for a Democratic president, you probably shouldn't be cheering it when the President is a Republican.

I'm pretty sure that the Joe Biden Administration attempted to have a strong usage of Executive Branch power in the Federal Government.

 

[Belk]

While I do not agree with all the budget cuts, I commend the Trump administration for its rapid pace in reducing the size of various departments. For the past 50 years, GOP candidates have pledged to balance the budget and cut spending, but no actions were taken once they assumed office. Previous Republican presidents expanded government and increased expenditure. However, this time, President Trump is fulfilling his campaign promises.

For the past 50 years, Americans have debated spending cuts, balanced budgets, and the significance of various departments. However, these discussions have largely been theoretical. This time, the cuts will be tangible. Once implemented, we will definitively determine the importance or irrelevant of disability funding provided by the Department of Education to states. After the reduction in the Department of Education's budget, if public school lunch programs are cut, we will then ascertain whether these lunches are essential or merely an unnecessary expenditure of taxpayer money.

If the SNAP programs or unemployment benefits are cut, which has been on the Conservative agenda for many years, Americans may evaluate the effectiveness of these programs after six to eight months. It is important to note that 7 out of the top 10 states that depend on SNAP are Red states. Similarly, 7 out of the top 10 states reliant on federal aid are Deep Red states. Therefore, the impact of these cuts will be felt not in Blue states like California or New York City, but rather in states such as Alabama and Mississippi.

I commend the Trump administration's efforts to cut these programs and departments. Let America see if these federal entities are necessary or part of a liberal utopia.

Just to point out that while they are cutting positions, I don't know how big of an impact that will have on the budget. 75% of our budget is medicare/medicaid, social security, and defense. All the cut's so far have been to the remaining 25%.

 

[RocksInMyHead]

I'm pretty sure that the Joe Biden Administration attempted to have a strong usage of Executive Branch power in the Federal Government.

They did - and they got a lot of pushback for it from both sides of the aisle. They certainly didn't have Congress enabling them at every turn.

 

[Vambram]

They did - and they got a lot of pushback for it from both sides of the aisle. They certainly didn't have Congress enabling them at every turn.

I don't remember the Democratic Party pushing back strongly against the Biden administration.

 

[RocksInMyHead]

I don't remember the Democratic Party pushing back strongly against the Biden administration.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/06/04/democrats-divided-biden-immigration-executive-order/

Barack Obama judges strike down Joe Biden's student loan forgiveness

Kansas and Missouri judges have ruled that parts of the SAVE plan cannot go ahead.

www.newsweek.com

My primary point, though, was that he didn't have Congress enabling his expansion of executive power by ceding legislative oversight responsibilities to the executive.

 

[expos4ever]

From journalist Annie Applebaum:

Nowadays, most democracies fail not because of violence or coup d'etat, but because a legitimate elected leader comes to power and then begins to dismantle institutions. He puts a loyalist in the -- in the jobs instead of experts. He politicizes institutions that are supposed to belong to the whole nation, like the military or the Department of Justice, and makes them serve him and his political program.

Sound familiar?