Opinion | Why isn’t Congress using its powers?

A lot happened this week. “Melissa came ashore unlike other hurricanes.” “Order the Pentagon to resume nuclear testing.” “Indiana is joining the nationwide fight against gerrymandering.” “Reorganize as a for-profit corporation.” This is one thing you shouldn’t miss. The Senate voted on Tuesday to block President Trump from imposing tariffs on Brazil that have led to higher prices for coffee, beef and bananas. So the president doesn’t actually have the authority to announce tariffs. Trump accomplished this by declaring a national emergency over the summer. “When you think of emergencies, what do you think of? You think of war, tornadoes, famine. You don’t think of trade policy.” But it’s worth noting that the Senate vote was 52 to 48. That means five Republicans have joined Democrats in blocking Trump’s tariffs, which begs the question: If these Republicans can resist Trump’s tariffs, why haven’t they shown courage in preventing millions of Americans from going hungry? “SNAP benefits are about to be suspended for millions of Americans.” Preventing soaring medical costs for 20 million Americans. “You can see that the price they paid increased by an average of 75%.” Prevent the military from unilaterally bombing ships and killing people when Congress has not declared war. “This was the sixth vessel attacked by U.S. forces in international waters, killing at least 29 people.” Use their oversight powers to prevent federal agencies from abusing their power. “Federal agents attended the Halloween parade in Chicago.” The answer can only be that congressional Republicans are okay with things like this because they have the power to stop them, but they just don’t. Remember, the Founding Fathers gave Congress some of the most important government powers, including the power of the purse, the power of war, and the power to regulate foreign trade. They want Congress to be the most dominant branch. Today it is at its weakest. But it’s their choice. The fact that the Senate found enough reason to block Trump’s tariffs only shows how little they have done over the past nine months. Indeed, what we see from the executive branch may be alarming, but what we don’t see from Congress should be equally dire.