Pelosi and top Dems launch sweeping bid to ‘rein in abusive presidents’ and say Trump ‘left them no choice’
NANCY Pelosi and top Democrats have launched a sweeping bid to “rein in abusive presidents” and said Donald Trump has “left them no choice.”
Revealed Wednesday, the legislation is aimed at curbing the abusive use of pardons, prevent presidents from profiting from the office and secure administrative compliance with congressional subpoenas, according to the Hill.
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Pelosi announced the legislation on Wednesday[/caption]However, despite Trump‘s behavior allegedly influencing the legislation, the law will not come into play while the president is still serving his term in the White House.
“During this once-in-a-generation moment, the Congress has a sacred obligation for the people to defend the rule of law and restore accountability and basic ethics to the government. And that is exactly what we’re doing [with this package],” the House Speaker said.
“It is sad that the president’s actions have made this legislation necessary,” she added. “As with other things, he gives us no choice.”
The proposals include banning presidents and other federal officers from accepting foreign gifts and expediting the judicial process surrounding congressional subpoenas.
Trump’s behavior allegedly influenced the legislation[/caption]Others include establishing fines of up to $50,000 for federal officials who promote political interests during their normal duties.
Congress would also have more power dictating federal funding by applying penalties to executive officials who misappropriate taxpayer dollars to their own projects – something that Democrats have accused Trump of doing to build his Mexican border wall.
“I don’t think there’s ever been a more brazen violator of the power of the purse than Donald Trump,” said Kentucky Representative John Yarmuth.
“What’s made it worse is it’s not in advance of … some philosophical agenda, it’s his own personal political agenda.”
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“Congressional subpoenas are not requests that recipients can easily brush aside,” said Massachusetts Representative Richard Neal added.
“They are indispensable as a tool that this body uses to investigate potential wrong-doing … and to prevent future abuses.”
It has not been announced when the House will vote on the package, however, California Representative Adam Schiff suggested it may not be until 2021.