Newsletter: Renacci-Report: Holding the President Accountable for Executive Overreach

Statement

Last month we celebrated Independence Day, an opportunity to reflect on all of the freedoms we enjoy in this country, thanks to our Founding Fathers and all of those who have fought so valiantly to defend those freedoms throughout history. I could not help but be reminded of one of our Founding Fathers -- George Washington -- and the act that he should perhaps be most remembered for: respecting the limits of our Executive Branch.

President Washington was brilliant. He led the Revolutionary Army, served as our first President, and legend has it that the American people respected him so much they wanted him to be king. However, President Washington understood the importance of a regular and peaceful transfer of power -- something that we can still see apparent in our political process today.

I believe that our federal government works best when the White House and Congress work together to solve our country's problems, but time and time again, the Obama administration has refused to let Congress do its job. Though many presidents, both Republicans and Democrats, have issued executive orders or made recess appointments, President Obama seeks to change policy in a major way through his executive orders.

In June, President Barack Obama once again announced his intention to bypass Congress and legislate through executive order -- this time referring to immigration. Additionally, last month marked the one year anniversary of the White House's delay of the employer mandate as well as its abandonment of the eligibility verification process for exchanges, opting instead for an "honor system." These are just two of the White House's many unilateral changes to the President's health care law. President Obama has also used executive action to expand the regulatory scope of the EPA -- costing Ohioans jobs at a time when too many are looking for work.

If the President cannot work with Congress to advance bipartisan legislation, he must be prepared to face the judicial challenges to his overreach. Last month, the House of Representatives passed legislation to initiate a lawsuit against the president to challenge the Obama administration's unconstitutional overreach of its executive authority. I supported it because I believe that our Founders created a divided system of government with checks and balances, which is critical to a nation without centralized power in one branch of government.

I came to Congress to legislate and offer solutions that will get our economy moving again and spur growth in Ohio's 16th District. It's far past time that the President starts working with Congress to get things done. He owes it to the American people.

If you have any questions or if our office can be of assistance to you, please don't hesitate to call us at our Wadsworth office: (330) 334-0040, Parma office: (440) 882-6779, or Washington office: (202) 225-3876. I also encourage you to visit our website at renacci.house.gov and subscribe to our Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube pages to get the latest updates on my work in Washington and Ohio's 16th District.

Source