Proposed legislation related to separation of powers: August 23, 2025 - September 19, 2025
Note: I am including executive communications here if an agency of the Executive Branch requests legislation. We cannot “see” which legislation they’ve requested. Congress is cagey about details.
But it's a tacit recognition that they don't have the authority to legislate and need representatives or senators to do so.
EC1815 - August 29, 2025. From the Assistant Secretary, Legislative Affairs, Department of Defense, transmitting an additional legislative proposal that the Department of Defense requests be enacted during the first session of the 119th Congress; jointly to the Committees on Armed Services, Ways and Means, the Judiciary, and Transportation and Infrastructure.
S.J.Res.75 - A joint resolution terminating the emergency determined by the President on August 11, 2025, in the Executive Order titled “Declaring a crime emergency in the District of Columbia.”
Introduced September 2, 2025 by Chris Van Hollen (D-MD). Cosponsored by thirteen Democrats and one Independent (Bernie Sanders).
Full text: Terminating the emergency determined by the President on August 11, 2025, in the Executive Order titled “Declaring a crime emergency in the District of Columbia.”
Whereas the President has failed to identify special conditions of an emergency nature that compel the use of the Metropolitan Police Department for Federal purposes in the District of Columbia;
Whereas violent crime in the District of Columbia has declined for the past 2 years and currently stands at a 30-year low; and
Whereas the Federal Government, in 2025, has prevented the District of Columbia from spending $1,000,000,000 of its own locally raised revenues—money that was budgeted for essential public safety purposes, including law enforcement, fire and emergency response services, and schools: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That pursuant to section 740(b) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act (sec. 1–207.40(b), D.C. Official Code), the emergency determined by the President on August 11, 2025, in the Executive order titled “Declaring a crime emergency in the District of Columbia” is hereby terminated.
Note: Stuck in committee.
S.2689 - District of Columbia Police Home Rule Act. To amend the District of Columbia Home Rule Act to repeal the authority of the President to assume emergency control of the police of the District of Columbia.
Introduced September 2, 2025 by Chris Van Hollen (D-MD). Cosponsored by ten Democrats and one Independent (Bernie Sanders). This bill would repeal this entire section.
Comment: When the initial legislation was passed, I’d wager no one ever thought the President of the United States of America would abuse this right in such an egregious manner.
S.2728 - No Foreign Fundraising at United States Embassies Act. To prohibit the use of United States embassies or consulates in raising funds for foreign political parties or candidates.
Introduced September 4, 2025 by Edward Markey (D-MA). No cosponsors.
From the bill: No Federal funds, and no personal funds of a United States Ambassador or other United States official, may be obligated or expended to host a fundraising event for, or on behalf of, a foreign political party or candidate at a United States embassy or consulate or any other United States diplomatic post.
Comment: This should be a no-brainer. John Fetterman, Dave McCormick, where are you? Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders?
H.R.5184 - Affordable HOMES Act (Affordable Housing Over Mandating Efficiency Standards Act). To prohibit the Secretary of Energy from enforcing energy efficiency standards applicable to manufactured housing.
Introduced September 8, 2025 by Erin Houchin (R-IN). Cosponsored by Mike Flood (R-NE).
Comment: Although this sounds like a bill designed to limit the powers of the executive branch of government, it is not. Instead, it repeals the final rule titled “Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Manufactured Housing” published by the Department of Energy in the Federal Register on May 31, 2022 (87 Fed. Reg. 32728).
Another short-sighted move. Houchin and Flood want to deregulate the manufactured housing industry by forbidding the Secretary of Energy from enforcing a rule on the books. Instead, they are doing Trump’s bidding.
EC1665 - September 8, 2025. From the Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Legislative Affairs), transmitting legislative proposals that the Department of Defense requests be enacted during the first session of the 119th Congress; to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
EC1666 - September 8, 2025. From the Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Legislative Affairs), transmitting legislative proposals that the Department of Defense requests be enacted during the first session of the 119th Congress; to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
ML17 - September 8, 2025. The SPEAKER presented a memorial of the House of Representatives of the State of Montana, relative to House Joint Resolution 17, urging the Congress and the President of the United States to undertake action to unleash American energy by reforming and streamlining permitting obligation and repealing or revising environmental regulations and environmental reviews that do not align with national security interests; jointly to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Natural Resources, Transportation and Infrastructure, and Financial Services.
Angry comment: Handing off yet more power to Trump and the Executive Branch. In the name of national security.
H.R.3425 - Personnel Oversight and Shift Tracking Act of 2025. September 9, 2025. Referred from House. To direct the Director of the Federal Protective Service to establish processes to strengthen oversight, performance, and accountability of contract security personnel engaged in the protection of certain buildings and grounds.
Introduced May 15, 2025 by Mike Kennedy (R-UT). Cosponsored by Shomari Figures (D-AL). Passed the House under suspension of rules on September 8, 2025. Referred to Senate and sent to Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs on September 9, 1995.
Comment: This bill tightens recordkeeping and time-clocks for contract security personnel.
I wasn’t sure which legislation section to put this under. Settled on “Taking Our Power Back” because it’s the opposite of that. More invasion of privacy regarding timekeeping and employment data. Big Brother will truly be watching contract security personnel!
H.R.5220 - Congressional Power of the Purse Act. To strengthen and enhance the congressional power of the purse.
Introduced September 9, 2025 by Brendan Boyle (D-PA). Cosponsored by eighteen Democrats and no Republicans.
Comment: Wow! If you are a constitutional attorney, please read this very long bill! It’s long. Boyle covers a lot of ground. This proposed legislation (which of course won’t get out of committee) is a primer on congressional power that Donald Trump has usurped. With the blessing of Republican representatives.
S.2765 - Advisory Committee on the Records of Congress Sunset Act. To sunset the Advisory Committee on the Records of Congress.
Introduced September 10, 2025 by Gary Peters (D-MI). Cosponsored by James Lankford (R-OK).
Comment: I confess, this caught me off guard. I thought for sure this was going to be a Republican bill. This bill would strike all of Chapter 27 of title 44 of the United States Code. Feels more like a Republican move.
If you have insight into why a Democrat would sponsor a bill that weakens the “Records of Congress,” please let me know!
H.R.5245 - To provide for the management authorities of the Department of State. (No short title.)
Introduced September 10, 2025 by Michael Lawler (R-NY). No cosponsors. Out of committee on September 18, 2025.
Comment: This bill greatly expands Marco Rubio’s power as Secretary of State. Lawler is not looking past the end of Trump’s term. I doubt he would want State to have the same muscle under a Democratic president.
H.Res.704 - Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the Wasteful and Inappropriate Service Reduction Model undermines beneficiary access to health care and should not be implemented.
Introduced September 11, 2025 by Mark Pocan (D-WI). Cosponsored by fifteen Democrats and no Republicans.
Comment: The so-called WISeR or Wasteful and Inappropriate Service Reduction Model will increase the number of Medicare services requiring prior authorization by 30%. Further, WISeR will remove most decision-making from Medicare and hand it off to Medicare Advantage companies, even for strict Medicare patients. Pocan et al point out that when WISeR decisions are made by AI – and this is a cornerstone of the Republican WISeR initiative – AI’s decisions are wrong 80-90% of the time, with AI-based decisions overturned 81.7% of the time (according to Kaiser Family Foundation).
This resolution would require Medicare to terminate the WISeR plan, which is set to go into effect on January 1, 2026. Note that there is no legislation supporting Medicare’s unilateral decision to implement WISeR. They’re just doing it. Pocan et al are seeking to initiate proper policymaking – through Congress.
H.R.5361 - George Floyd Justice in Policing Act of 2025. To hold law enforcement accountable for misconduct in court, improve transparency through data collection, and reform police training and policies.
Introduced September 15, 2025 by Glenn Ivey (D-MD). Cosponsored by 127 Democrats and zero Republicans.
Comment: This is a very, very long bill. If this is a topic you are interested in and would like to dig into, please let me know! I would welcome your analysis as a post (with your byline) on Now More Than Ever.
S.2816 - Stop Sycophants in Government Act of 2025. To prohibit the administration of any political loyalty test as a condition of Federal employment.
Introduced September 16, 2025 by Chris Murphy (D-CT). No cosponsors (why not?!).
Comment: This piece of legislation is short and sweet. It has no hidden agenda and does what it says—Prohibits the president or anyone in the Executive Branch from administering a political “loyalty test” as condition of Federal employment. Period. End of story.
PS: Yahoo!
H.R.5404 - Make America Healthy Again Act of 2025. To codify Executive Order 14212 (alt. text on the White House Web site), relating to establishing the President’s Make America Healthy Again Commission.
Introduced September 16, 2025 by Michael Lawler (R-NY). No cosponsors.
Comment: At least Lawler understands that an executive order is not legislation and therefore not enforceable.
S.2837 - Protect America’s Workforce Act. To nullify certain Executive orders relating to exclusions from Federal labor-management relations programs.
Introduced September 17, 2025 by Mark Warner (D-VA). Cosponsored by 44 Democrats (including JOHN FETTERMAN), two Independents (Angus King-ME and Bernie Sanders-VT), and two Republicans, Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Susan Collins (R-ME).
From the bill: Executive Order 14251 and Executive Order 14343 shall have no force or effect, and no Federal funds may be obligated or expended to carry out either such Executive order. ... Any collective bargaining agreement in effect as of March 26, 2025, between any agency in the executive branch of the Federal Government and any labor organization that is an exclusive representative of Federal employees shall have full force and effect through the stated term of the applicable agreement.
Comment: I am following this bill!
S.2838 - Protecting Our Democracy Act. To protect our democracy by preventing abuses of Presidential power, restoring checks and balances and accountability and transparency in government, and defending elections against foreign interference.
Introduced September 17, 2025 by Adam Schiff (D-CA). Cosponsored by eight Democrats and one Independent: Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), and Jeff Merkley (D-OR).
Urgent comment: If your Senator—Democrat, Independent, or Republican—is not a cosponsor, please ask them WHY THE HELL NOT!? Republicans talk a ‘good game’ about election integrity. Make them sign on the dotted line.
And certainly, Democrats should be behind this!
Comment: You know how we keep saying we’ve got to put guardrails in place to ensure that “Trump” never happens again? This bill is THAT bill. Comprehensive and thorough, covering all the bases.
· Division B—Restoring Checks and Balances, Accountability, and Transparency
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- TITLE XXI—ENFORCEMENT OF CONGRESSIONAL SUBPOENAS
- TITLE XXII—REASSERTING CONGRESSIONAL POWER OF THE PURSE
- TITLE XXIII—SECURITY FROM POLITICAL INTERFERENCE IN JUSTICE
- TITLE XXIV—PROTECTING WHISTLEBLOWERS
- TITLE XXV—ACCOUNTABILITY FOR ACTING OFFICIALS
- TITLE XXVI—STRENGTHENING HATCH ACT ENFORCEMENT AND PENALTIES
- TITLE XXVII—PRESIDENTIAL AND VICE PRESIDENTIAL TAX TRANSPARENCY
- TITLE XXVIII—BRINGING EXECUTIVE ACCOUNTABILITY, CLARITY, AND OVERSIGHT
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- TITLE XXXI—REPORTING FOREIGN INTERFERENCE IN ELECTIONS
- TITLE XXXII—ELIMINATING FOREIGN INTERFERENCE IN ELECTIONS
- TITLE XXXIII—HONEST ADS
- TITLE XXXIV—PREVENTING A PATRONAGE SYSTEM
- TITLE XXXV—USE OF FEDERAL PROPERTY; VISITOR RECORDS
- TITLE XXXVI—NO CORPORATE CROOKS
- TITLE XXXVII—RECUSAL OF EXECUTIVE BRANCH OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES
- TITLE XXXVIII—CLARIFICATION OF DEFINITION OF OFFICIAL ACT
S.2843 - FRAME Act (Federal Reserve Accountability for Major Expenditures Act). To require congressional approval for all capital expenditures requested by the Federal Reserve.
Introduced September 17, 2025 by Rick Scott (R-FL). No cosponsors.
Comment: The Board of Governors and individual Federal Reserve Banks approve Federal Reserve expenditures. Although Congress may provide oversight, the Federal Reserve is independent. It does not receive its funding from Congressional appropriations. To learn more, see the Federal Reserve site.
Rick Scott’s proposed legislation would destroy the independence of the Federal Reserve.
S.2850 - Protecting Legislators and Survivors of Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence from Doxing and Political Violence Act. To improve the safety and security of Members of Congress, immediate family members of Members of Congress, and congressional staff.
Introduced September 17, 2025 by Ron Wyden (R-OR). No cosponsors.
Comment: See S.2851 below.
S.2851 - Protecting Legislators and Survivors of Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence from Doxing and Political Violence Act. To improve the safety and security of Members of Congress, immediate family members of Members of Congress, and congressional staff.
Introduced September 17, 2025 by Ron Wyden (R-OR). No cosponsors.
Comment: Not sure why there are two versions of what appears to be the same bill. It could just be a clerical error.
Wyden’s legislation would greatly expand the definition of individuals eligible for Secret Service or other protection.
H.R.5438 - Incentivize Savings Act. To incentivize Federal agencies to create savings for the American people.
Introduced September 17, 2025 by Richard McCormick (R-GA). Cosponsored by 33 Republicans and no Democrats.
From the bill: If a Federal agency does not expend funds appropriated or otherwise made available to the agency for a definite period during the period of availability of such funds—
(1) 49 percent of such total funds shall remain available for an additional fiscal year; (2) 49 percent of such total funds shall be used for payments of principal and interest on the public debt; and, (3) 2 percent of such total funds shall be used, not later than the date that is 30 days after the last day of the applicable period of availability, for retention bonuses within such Federal agency under section 5754 of title 5.
Comment: In other words, this bill if passed would give employees in agencies of the Executive Branch bonuses if they came in under budget. As usual, it gives most of the money to the highest-paid individuals, since the bonuses may not exceed 10% of an employee’s basic pay.
Also, this reeks of grift.
H.R.5442 - Inspired to Serve Act of 2025. To build on America’s spirit of service to nurture, promote, and expand a culture of service to secure the Nation’s future, address critical needs of the Nation, and strengthen the civic fabric of American society.
Introduced September 17, 2025 by Jimmy Panetta (D-CA). Cosponsored by Don Bacon (R-NE).
Comment: This is a very long bill with reams of fine print.
H.R.5446 - No Tariffs on Groceries Act. To limit the authority to impose duties on articles of food.
Introduced September 17, 2025 by Haley Stevens (D-MI). Cosponsored by Seth Magaziner (D-RI).
Comment: This is another bill where Congress (or at least Haley Stevens and Seth Magaziner) wish to reclaim Congressional powers regarding tariffs.
S.J.Res.83 - A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities that have not been authorized by Congress.
Introduced September 18, 2025 by Adam Schiff (D-CA). Cosponsored by Tim Kaine (D-VA), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Rand Paul (R-KY), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL).
Comment: Excerpt here, please read the full text. It’s not terribly long and is worthwhile. Also, if your Senator did not cosponsor, write them and ask WHY THE HELL NOT!?
Congress makes the following findings:
(1) Congress has the sole power to declare war under Article I, section 8, clause 11 of the United States Constitution.
(2) Congress has not declared war upon, nor enacted a specific statutory authorization for use of military force against—
(A) any organization designated on or after February 20, 2025, as a foreign terrorist organization pursuant to section 219(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act … or as a specially designated global terrorist pursuant to Executive Order 13224…; relating to blocking property and prohibiting transactions with persons who commit, threaten to commit, or support terrorism);
(B) any states in which those entities operate; or
(C) any non-state organization engaged in the promotion, trafficking, and distribution of illegal drugs and other related activities.
( 3) The designation of an entity as a foreign terrorist organization or specially designated global terrorist provides no legal authority for the President to use force against members of designated organizations or any foreign state.
(4) There has been no armed attack on the United States by—
(A) any organization designated on or after February 20, 2025, as a foreign terrorist organization or specially designated global terrorist;
(B) any states in which those entities operate; or
(C) any non-state organization engaged in the promotion, trafficking, and distribution of illegal drugs and other related activities. …
SEC. 2. Termination of use of Armed Forces.
(a) Termination.—Pursuant to section 1013 of the Department of State Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1984 and 1985 (50 U.S.C. 1546a) and in accordance with the provisions of section 601(b) of the International Security Assistance and Arms Export Control Act of 1976, Congress hereby directs the President to terminate the use of United States Armed Forces for hostilities against any organization designated on or after February 20, 2025, as a foreign terrorist organization or specially designated global terrorist, any states in which those entities operate, or any non-state organization engaged in the promotion, trafficking, and distribution of illegal drugs and other related activities, unless explicitly authorized by a declaration of war or specific authorization for use of military force.
(b) Rule of construction.—Nothing in this section shall be construed as preventing the United States from defending itself from an armed attack or threat of an imminent armed attack or using the United States Armed Forces in support of civil authorities as part of authorized counternarcotics operations. The trafficking of illegal drugs does not itself constitute such an armed attack or threat of an imminent armed attack.
S.Res.407 - A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that the comments made by Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, threatening to penalize ABC and Disney for the political commentary of ABC late night host Jimmy Kimmel were dangerous and unconstitutional.
Introduced September 18, 2025 by Edward Markey (D-MA). Cosponsored by Ron Wyden (R-OR).
Full text of the resolution, with ellipses in original:
Expressing the sense of the Senate that the comments by Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, threatening to penalize ABC and Disney for the political commentary of ABC late night host Jimmy Kimmel were dangerous and unconstitutional.
Whereas the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States provides that “Congress shall make no law … abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press,” protections that extend to political speech and commentary, even when controversial or offensive;
Whereas the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is charged with overseeing the public airwaves in a manner consistent with the Constitution and does not have authority to censor programming or punish broadcasters for their editorial decisions;
Whereas, on September 17, 2025, Chairman Brendan Carr publicly threatened ABC and its parent company, Disney, and its affiliates, over a monologue delivered by comedian Jimmy Kimmel, stating that “we can do this the easy way or the hard way,” in clear reference to the FCC’s regulatory power;
Whereas, following these comments, ABC’s largest affiliate group announced it would preempt Mr. Kimmel’s programming, and shortly thereafter, ABC and Disney suspended Mr. Kimmel, demonstrating the coercive effect of Chairman Carr’s unconstitutional threats and the chilling impact on free expression in broadcasting;
Whereas, in Mr. Carr's role as chairman, Carr has repeatedly claimed in public statements and past social media posts to support the First Amendment and defend free speech, including the following statements:
(1) “This is nothing more than a brazen attempt by government officials to silence political speech they don’t like.”.
(2) “From internet memes to late-night comedians, from cartoons to the plays and poems as old as organized government itself—Political Satire circumvents traditional gatekeepers and helps hold those in power accountable. Not surprising that it’s long been targeted for censorship.”
(3) “Free speech is not a threat to democracy—censorship is.”; and
Whereas, by using his official position to pressure private broadcasters over their protected commentary, Chairman Carr has betrayed the trust of his office, abused the power of his position, undermined the independence of the press, and violated the constitutional principles he is sworn to uphold: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate—
(1) condemns Chairman Brendan Carr for abusing his position as a Federal regulator to threaten Disney and ABC over constitutionally protected speech;
(2) affirms the importance of the First Amendment and the independence of broadcasters and journalists from government coercion; and
(3) calls upon Chairman Carr to immediately retract his threats and recommit himself to respecting the constitutional limitations on his office.
Comment: Of course, it was referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, where it will likely languish.
H.R.5460 - FREE SPEECH Act of 2025 (Freedom from Regulatory Enforcement and Evaluation of Speech Policies to Ensure Editorial Choice Holds Act of 2025). To prohibit the Federal Communications Commission from requiring any entity regulated by the Commission to align the speech of such entity with the political ideology of any presidential administration.
Introduced September 18, 2025 by the amazing Jasmine Crockett (D-TX). No cosponsors. C’mon Democrats!
From the bill: The Federal Communications Commission may not require any entity regulated by the Commission to align the speech of such entity with the political ideology of any presidential administration, including through any rule or order issued by the Commission or as a condition of granting approval for a merger or acquisition or any other approval required by the Commission.
H.Res.741 - Acknowledging that in the aftermath of September 11, 2001, individuals experienced hate and were targeted by the government on account of their faith, race, national origin and immigration status, and suggesting various forms of relief to support those affected.
Introduced September 18, 2025 by Pramila Jayapal (D-WA). Cosponsored by seven Democrats and no Republicans.
Comment: Please read this resolution. Too often we are wrapped up in the wrongdoings of the Trump administrations, to the point that we forget or gloss over the wrongs done in the name of the American people after 9/11.
H.R.5516 - No Coffee Tax Act. To prohibit the imposition of additional tariffs on coffee imported from countries to which the United States has extended normal trade relations.
Introduced September 19, 2025 by Ro Khanna (D-CA). Cosponsored by Maggie Goodlander (D-NH), Donald Bever (D-VA), Don Bacon (R-NE), Mike Levin (D-CA), James McGovern (D-MA), Salud Carbajal (D-CA), Seth Magaziner (D-RI), Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Paul Tonko (D-NY), Greg Landsman (D-OH), and Emilia Strong Sykes (D-OH).
Comment: Doing their jobs! And this is so logical, I am surprised it’s not discussed more often. If Trump is not at war with a particular country, by law he has no right to unilaterally impose tariffs on them. He’s done so claiming a “national emergency” with regards to each country.
But once trade deals are supposedly done—as he frequently brags—then his right to impose tariffs disappears.
Example of a relatively ‘unimportant’ bill that has much broader implications.
H.R.5518 - Integrated Cross-Border Law Enforcement Operations Expansion Act. To direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to negotiate an agreement with the Government of Canada for integrated cross-border aerial, land, and maritime law enforcement operations.
Introduced September 19, 2025 by Nicholas Langworthy (R-NY). Cosponsored by fourteen Republicans and no Democrats.
Comment: Again, Republicans handing off Congressional power to the Executive Branch. Also, now Republicans want to make nice with Canada?
H.R.5532 - To direct the Secretary of Education to establish a program to facilitate the transition to tuition-free community college in certain States. (No short title.)
Introduced September 19, 2025 by Adam Smith (D-WA). No cosponsors.
Comment: Taking back Congressional power. Telling the Secretary of Education what Congress wishes!
H.Con.Res.49 - Expressing the sense of Congress that all trade agreements the United States enters into, should provide reasonable access and collaboration of each nation involved in such an agreement, for the purpose of search and recovery activities relating to members of the United States Armed Forces still missing and unaccounted for from prior wars or military conflicts.
Introduced September 19, 2025 by Glenn Thompson (R-PA). Cosponsored by Susie Lee (D-NV), Daniel Meuser (R-PA), and James Walkinshaw (D-VA).
Comment: Congress acting! This is another simple piece of legislation that shows the way back to separation of powers.
H.Res.748 - Condemning attempts to use Federal regulatory power or litigation to suppress lawful speech, particularly speech critical of a political party or the President of the United States, and warning against the rise of authoritarianism.
Introduced September 19, 2025 by Yassamin Ansari (D-AZ). Cosponsored by 124 Democrats and no Republicans.
From the resolution: Resolved, That the House of Representatives—
(1) condemns the use of regulatory agencies, including the Federal Communications Commission, and the threat or filing of lawsuits as tools to suppress, intimidate, or punish lawful speech critical of any political party or the President of the United States;
(2) warns that such practices echo the tactics of authoritarian regimes and pose a serious threat to the democratic traditions and constitutional freedoms of the United States;
(3) reaffirms its commitment to upholding the First Amendment and protecting the freedom of the press and freedom of expression for all individuals, regardless of political viewpoint;
(4) calls upon all public officials, regardless of party affiliation, to refrain from using their positions of power to pressure media organizations or individuals into censoring or silencing speech protected by the Constitution;
(5) urges the Department of Justice, the Federal Communications Commission, and other relevant agencies to ensure that their policies and practices safeguard free expression and do not become tools of political retribution; and,
(6) affirms that a vibrant, independent media and the ability of Americans to criticize their government are indispensable to the preservation of democratic governance and to preventing the rise of authoritarianism.
Comment: Please read the entire resolution. The “whereas” statements are powerful. What we used to take for granted but now must restate.
OLD BUSINESS THAT WILL MAKE YOU HOMESICK
August 28, 2025 alert. May 2, 2024 transcript. “The President’s Budget Request for the U.S. Department of the Interior for Fiscal Year 2025.” Transcript Available
September 3, 2025 alert. January 3, 2023 transcript. “Nominations of the 118th Congress, First Session, Part II.”
September 4, 2025 alert. January 3, 2024 transcript. “Nominations of the 118th Congress, Second Session, Part I.”
September 5, 2025 alert. May 15, 2024 transcript. “The President’s Budget Requestion for the National Park Service for Fiscal Year 2025 and Pending Legislation.”
Back in the good old days of 2024, separation of powers basically worked as intended. Sigh..
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© 2025 Denise Elaine Heap. Please contact me for permission to quote.