Reining in Executive Overreach
The Constitution is clear - Congress has the duty to write laws and, once they are enacted, it is the President's responsibility to enforce the laws. Article II, section 3 of the U.S. Constitution declares that the President "shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed." However, President Obama has failed on multiple occasions to enforce acts of Congress that he disagrees with. President Obama has also stretched his regulatory authority to put in place policies that are too extreme to get through Congress.
The President's executive overreach is accelerating at an alarming rate. Examples of President Obama's failure to execute laws include:
- Delaying the ObamaCare individual mandate for special interests;
- Refusing to enforce federal immigration laws;
- Ignoring welfare work requirements, a clear violation of the 1996 welfare reform law;
- Failing to enforce federal drug laws
This week the House of Representatives acted to rein in the Obama administration's executive overreach. The House passed the Executive Needs to Faithfully Observe and Respect Congressional Enactments of the Law Act or ENFORCE the Law Act to restore balance to the separation of powers outlined in the Constitution. The ENFORCE the Law Act allows the House or the Senate to authorize a lawsuit against the Executive Branch for failure to execute the laws. This legislation also provides for expedited consideration of the claim so that the courts cannot stall the lawsuit.
Additionally, the House passed the Faithful Execution of the Law Act to strengthen current laws and to ensure that all federal executive officials fully execute the laws on the books. The Faithful Execution of the Law Act promotes transparency and honesty by requiring all federal executive officials who are not enforcing federal law to report to Congress on their reasoning for non-enforcement.
It is a shame that Congress has to pass laws requiring the Executive Branch of our government to follow the Constitution. However, the Obama Administration has failed time and time again to uphold Article II, section 3 of the U.S. Constitution that says the President "shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed." I remain committed to working with my colleagues in the House of Representatives to hold the Obama Administration accountable and restore the balance of power outlined in the Constitution.
EIGHTH ANNUAL CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT ART CONTEST
The Congressional Art Contest is a great way to recognize talented high school students in our Eighth Congressional District. In addition to being recognized locally, the winner of the contest will also be invited to Washington D.C. to attend a recognition ceremony and see their art displayed on Capitol Hill. We hope to have participation from schools across our district. I encourage anyone who is interested in participating in the contest to contact my office.
Entrees must be submitted to one of Smith's offices by Friday, April 25th. Artwork can be dropped off at:
- Cape Girardeau Office: 2502 Tanner Drive, Suite 205, Cape Girardeau, MO 63703, 573-335-0101
- Farmington Office: 22 East Columbia Street, Farmington, MO 63640, 573-756-9755
- Poplar Bluff Office: 2911 North Westwood Blvd., Suite C, Poplar Bluff, MO 63907, 573-778-6679
- Rolla Office: 830A South Bishop, Rolla, MO 65401, Rolla, MO 573-364-2455
- West Plains Office: 35 Court Square, Suite 300, West Plains, MO 417-255-1515
For more information, students may contact Leslie Herbst at 573-335-0101 or email leslie.herbst@mail.house.gov. In addition, student can get more information by visiting: http://www.house.gov/content/educate/art_competition/
THIS WEEK'S HIGHLIGHTS
Friday morning I spoke out on the House floor against President Obama's executive overreach. Time and time again we have seen President Obama stretch the constitutional limits of his office. When President Obama disagrees with a law, he just ignores it. Click HERE to watch my remarks on the House floor.
On Thursday, I spoke on the House floor in support of the Water Rights Protection Act. Congress is tired of the administration's schemes to take away private property rights. Click HERE to watch my remarks on the House floor.
On Monday, I visited Sikeston Jaycee Dialysis to see the facility and meet with some patients and employees. Thank you to Jean Manning and Don Robbins for your hospitality!
I met this week with elected leaders in Mississippi County. I am working to have meetings with county leaders in each of the Eighth District's 30 counties to learn how we can better work together to move our region forward.
This week I visited Ceramo in Jackson. Ceramo is one of the largest U.S. owned domestic distributors of standard red clay pottery. Thank you to Vernon Kasten Jr. for taking the time to show me around!
