Hearing of the
Subcommittee on Legislative and Budget Process
The Impact of Executive Orders on the Legislative Process: Executive Lawmaking?
Member of the Subcommittee on Legislative and Budget Process
Mr. Chairman, thank you for holding today's hearing on the power of the president to establish policy through executive order. As the use of executive orders becomes more prevalent and the policy they establish has a more tangible impact on the lives of the people we represent, I think it is appropriate for Congress to examine the process by which these orders are developed and whether the legislature's lawmaking responsibility is being encroached.
Judging by my constituent mail, I think it is fair to say that the public awareness of the power of executive order has increased, and Congress should be able to explain to the public why the President is establishing policy without congressional approval. We have a responsibility to ensure transparency of the process by which executive orders are established and respond when the executive branch oversteps its constitutional or statutory authority.
This can be accomplished, in part, through vigilant congressional oversight in an effort to preserve a balance of power and protect our legislative prerogative. In doing so, we will protect the power of the people we represent, to whom we are accountable. I think this hearing is an important first step in that process.
So, I thank Chairman Goss, again, for holding this hearing, and I look forward to the testimony of our witnesses who have given much more thought to this subject than I or many of my colleagues. I appreciate the time you all are taking to share your knowledge with us this morning.
