Thompson Calls on Congress to Meet Constitutional Obligations, Continue Budget Reforms & Take Responsibility for Actions

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Congressman Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson issued the following statement after today voting to oppose H.R. 3521, the Expedited Legislative Line-Item Veto and Rescissions Act of 2011:

“Congress has a constitutional duty to carry out the appropriations process, and should not cede further authority to the executive branch - along with other powers - such as those to declare war, the power to set the legislative agenda, and oversight of federal agencies and operations.

Our Founding Fathers did not intend for the executive to have the power to determine spending priorities. It’s clearly spelled out in Article I Section 9 of the Constitution, which provides the legislative branch exclusive power over all receipts and expenditures of public funds.

This chamber must continue to move forward with legislative and procedural reforms that prescribe real fiscal discipline in Washington – but do so without abdicating its responsibilities to another branch of government. Unfortunately, H.R. 3521 fails this test while raising serious questions over constitutional separation of powers, the legislative power of the purse, and the principles of representative government.”

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