1. United States
2. Kan.
3. Letter

The constitutional principle of separation of powers is a vital safeguard against the concentration and abuse of government authority. Recent actions by the executive branch, such as the attempt to suspend funding for the United States Agency for International Development without congressional approval, represent a direct assault on this foundational tenet of American democracy. As a co-equal branch of government, Congress must exercise its constitutional duty to act as a check on executive overreach. Allowing the president to unilaterally undermine the role of the legislative branch sets a dangerous precedent that erodes the system of checks and balances so carefully constructed by the Framers. Preserving the separation of powers is essential to upholding democratic ideals and preventing the rise of authoritarianism. I urge you to defend the Constitution by reasserting Congress's power of the purse and opposing any actions that enable the executive branch to accrue powers not granted by the Constitution. Protecting the integrity of America's democratic institutions must take precedence over partisan interests. The survival of the republic depends upon your willingness to stand firm against encroachments on the authority of the legislative branch.