- United States
- Calif.
- Letter
I am writing to express my concern about the growing use of executive orders to implement policies that should be debated and decided by Congress. While executive orders can serve important administrative functions, they must not be used as a means for the executive branch to override the legislative authority of Congress.
The U.S. Constitution clearly grants lawmaking power to Congress, while the President’s role is to execute those laws—not create them unilaterally. However, recent trends suggest an increasing reliance on executive orders to implement significant policy changes without congressional approval. This undermines the separation of powers and weakens Congress’s constitutional authority.
Several laws regulate executive orders, including:
- The **Administrative Procedure Act (1946)**, which ensures proper implementation by federal agencies.
- The **National Emergencies Act (1976)**, which governs how the President declares and manages national emergencies.
- The **Congressional Review Act (1996)**, which allows Congress to overturn certain executive actions.
Additionally, key Supreme Court decisions, such as *Youngstown Sheet & Tube Co. v. Sawyer (1952)*, have reaffirmed that executive orders must be grounded in constitutional or statutory authority.
I urge you to take a strong stance in defending Congress’s constitutional role and ensuring that executive orders do not become a tool for bypassing the legislative process. If the executive branch is allowed to continue expanding its authority unchecked, it diminishes the role of elected representatives and the voice of the people they serve.
Please consider supporting measures that reinforce congressional oversight and prevent any administration from unilaterally enacting policies that rightfully belong to the legislative branch. I appreciate your time and your commitment to upholding the constitutional balance of power.