1. United States
2. Texas
3. Letter

You recently said there is nothing Congress can do to rein in this president. That simply isn’t true. Congress has oversight authority, the power of the purse, confirmation authority, and the responsibility to serve as a constitutional check on the executive branch. The problem is not that Congress is powerless. The problem is that too many members, including you, have chosen not to use those powers. Your vote to confirm Todd Blanche is a perfect example. When presented with the opportunity to reject a nominee whose confirmation raised serious concerns for many Americans, you voted yes. That was a choice. Saying there is nothing you can do is really saying there is nothing you are willing to do. Even after Donald Trump publicly undermined your own political career by backing Ken Paxton against you, you continue to enable him instead of defending the independence of Congress and the rule of law. Leadership requires principle, especially when it is politically difficult. Texans deserve a senator who is willing to exercise the constitutional powers of the office—not one who insists those powers don’t exist.