Garamendi, Fletcher lead House resolution condemning Trump’s executive overreach, reaffirming Congress’s constitutional powers

Yesterday, Representatives John Garamendi and Lizzie Fletcher introduced a House resolution reaffirming a foundational principle of the U.S. Constitution: that no one — not even the President — is above the law. The resolution also reasserts Congress’s constitutional authority to declare war, control federal spending and conduct oversight.

This resolution comes six months into President Donald Trump’s second term, which has been marked by escalating systematic erosion of constitutional norms and executive overreach by his administration.

The resolution is endorsed by more than a dozen public interest and legal advocacy organizations, including the Project on Government Oversight, Campaign Legal Center, and the National Women’s Law Center Action Fund.

These organizations stand united in reasserting the essential roles of the legislative and judicial branches, that that every person deserves due process and equal protection under the law, and in declaring unequivocally that no individual – especially the President — is above the law.

“It’s been over six months since President Trump began his second term, and he has repeatedly shown contempt for the Constitution, the courts, and the democratic institutions that safeguard our republic,” said Garamendi. “This resolution affirms what should be nonpartisan truths: That the separation of powers matters, that Congress controls the public purse and that the rule of law applies to everyone — especially the President of the United States. In the face of escalating threats to our constitutional order, Congress must not remain silent. This resolution is a declaration of principle and a call to action.”

“Every member of Congress takes an oath of office to support and defend the Constitution of the United States,” said Fletcher.  “As Americans become increasingly alarmed by the Trump administration’s abuse of power, executive overreach and open defiance of the rule of law, it is important that members of Congress are reminded of their duty to support and defend the Constitution.  That is why I am joining Congressman Garamendi in introducing this legislation to reaffirm our commitment to the Constitution and the rule of law. Support for our Constitution is not a partisan or controversial issue and it is something that every member of Congress should support, regardless of party.”

The resolution highlights numerous constitutional principles that have been undermined by the Trump Administration including the withholding of Congressionally appropriated funding, attacks on judicial independence and the politicization of the civil service. It also draws on the warnings of the Founders, including James Madison, George Washington, and John Adams, about the dangers of unchecked executive power.

The resolution
• Reaffirms Congress’s constitutional authority over federal spending, war powers, and oversight.
• Condemns the Trump administration’s repeated violations of court orders and its attacks on judicial independence.
• Asserts that public funds cannot be withheld or redirected without explicit authorization from Congress.
• Urges all public officials to reject actions that undermine democratic institutions or disrupt the balance of power.
• Defends a professional, nonpartisan civil service — protected from political purges — as vital to ensuring the federal government works for the people, not for the President’s personal or political gain.

Original cosponsors include Fletcher Representatives Carter, Costa, Doggett, Green, Jackson, McIver, Moulton, Mullin, Salinas, Schrie, Soto, Thanedar, Veasey and Delegate Norton.

Endorsing organizations include American Governance Institute, American Humanist Association, Campaign Legal Center, Center for Reproductive Rights, Common Cause, Democracy Defenders Action, Equality California, Freedom From Religion Foundation Action Fund, People for the American Way, National Association of Social Workers, National Women’s Law Center Action Fund, NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice, Project on Government Oversight and the Secure Elections Network.

Click here to read the resolution.