(WASHINGTON, DC) – On Thursday, Eighth District Congressman Larry Bucshon, M.D. voted to approve a resolution granting the Speaker of the House authority to file an amicus brief before the Supreme Court defending the Article I powers of Congress.
“The Constitution is crystal clear: the Legislative Branch writes laws and the Executive Branch faithfully executes them. Unfortunately, under President Obama the White House and unelected bureaucrats are essentially writing the laws the American people are governed by. The president is free to disagree with the actions of Congress. However, his disagreement does not grant him authority to circumvent the Legislative Branch and write laws, period.
“This resolution grants the Speaker authority to file a brief on behalf of the House before the Supreme Court defending and protecting the Article I power of Congress as the sole branch of government with legislative authority. In turn, it protects the American people from a growing unaccountable bureaucracy and restores the principle of self-governance. â€
- Res. 639authorizes the Speaker of the House to appear as amicus curiae on behalf of the House of Representatives in the matter of United States, et al. v. Texas, et al., No. 15–674.
BACKGROUND (via the office of the Speaker):
Article I vs. Article II. In United States v. Texas, the Supreme Court asked whether the president’s executive amnesty violates the president’s duties under Article II, Section 3 of the Constitution to “take care that the laws be faithfully executed� This is a question the House is uniquely qualified to answer: under Article I, “all legislative powers†are vested in Congress. Neither the president nor unelected bureaucrats are permitted to write laws. Only Congress is.
- The resolution.H. Res. 639 authorizes Speaker Ryan to file a brief on behalf of the whole House defending Congress’s Article I powers. The decision to file these briefs is usually made by the House’s Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group, not the full body. This is the first time any speaker has taken this step. Given that this overreach is a direct attack on Congress’s Article I powers, it is essential for the institution to respond as a whole.
Congressman Larry Bucshon, M.D. is a physician and Republican member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee serving his third term representing Indiana’s 8th Congressional district. The 8th District of Indiana includes all or parts of Clay, Crawford, Daviess, Dubois, Gibson, Greene, Knox, Martin, Owen, Parke, Perry, Pike, Posey, Spencer, Sullivan, Vanderburgh, Vermillion, Vigo, and Warrick counties. Â
