BILLBOARD News Now
Signal to Congress
The Supreme Court, in its tariff decision may have telegraphed to Congress they need to take more seriously its constitutionally assigned responsibilities.
Specifically, as related to the tariff ruling, the Court made clear the power to impose taxes and tariffs exclusively belongs to Congress. Chief Justice Roberts emphasized that “the Framers did not vest any part of the taxing power in the Executive Branch.”
The signal sent by the Supreme Court to Congress underscores that when major policymaking encroaches on core legislative authority, the Court expects Congress to be the institution that actually legislates.
Too often Congress has allowed Trump to assume the “power of the purse”. Let’s hope Congress listens to the court’s signal that it has the exclusive authority to decide how money is raised and spent. This is a significant principle in the separation-of-power.
Up to now it has appeared Congress (particularly) Republicans have been afraid to battle Trump. It’s time Congress takes seriously the power assigned to it by the Constitution. No longer should Trump be allowed to “steamroll” Congress.
Finally, it may be a good time to review the constitutional powers the founders gave to Congress.
Taxing & Spending
(Levy and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises. Pay debt, provide for the common defenses & general welfare of the United States.)
Borrowing and Regulating Commerce
(Borrow money on the credit of the United States. Regulate commerce with foreign nations, among the states, and with Native American tribes.)
Money & Post Office
(Coin money and regulate its value. Establish post offices and post roads, punsh counterfeiting.)
Naturalization and Bankruptcy
Establish uniform rules for naturalization (citizenship) and establish uniform bankruptcy laws.)
Courts and Law
(Establish lower federal courts (below the Supreme Court.)
War and National Defense
(Declare war, raise and support armies, provide and maintain a navy and make rules for the armed forces. Call forth, organize, arm and discipline the militia.)
Washington, D. C.
(Exercise exclusive legislative authority over the federal district (Washington, D. C.)
The Necessary and Proper Clause
(Make all laws “necessary and proper” for carrying out the above powers.)
In addition to Article I, Congress has other constitutional responsibilities, such as counting electoral votes, proposing constitutional amendments, and conducting impeachment proceedings.
Let’s hope all of the noise which will be created as a result of today’s Supreme Court decision does not drown out the Signal to Congress…to take seriously the power the founders gave you.
Use icons and envelope above to forward this post to your friends.
Follow us on Twitter (X), Bluesky, Instagram, Facebook or Threads.
Obama Challenger?
Obama Challenger? It is amazing to me that no one in the Democratic Party is challenging Obama. There must be some capable folks out there who believe they could do a better job. When Lyndon Johnson was on the ropes in 1968, Senator Eugene McCarthy took him on, won...
Political Tidbits…10.11.11
POSTMORTEM - week later. 7 lessons from Tomblin’s victory featured in POLITICOS post election coverage…it is interesting…if you want to read click here…otherwise there have been a lot of thoughtful coverage in the State’s media. Best post election line appeared in...
The Morning After
The special election for Governor is in the history books. Let’s be clear this was not a victory for President Obama or Obamacare. “Stay the course” was the winner. As we look back Senate President Earl Ray Tomblin chose the right course when he became acting...
Finance Reports Here…Election Underway
Candidates for governor have filed their last finance report until after the special election. Early voting started this week. The reports filed today cover expenditures from August 22 until September 18. To see where Republican Bill Maloney has gotten his money...
Political Tidbits…What Happen Last Night?
Party faithful last night honored Lincoln & Reagan…and cheered on GOP gubernatorial candidate Maloney…Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour was brought in…for the Gala…to push Maloney’s election….beat up on EPA spoke before dinner and departed. FIERY speaker of the...
Governor’s Race Starts
Well it finally started. The results are in from a survey conducted by Public Policy Polling (PPP) in North Carolina. The Governor’s race will be getting more attention, more activity and more enthusiasm to activate the party faithful. What the candidates need is...
Labor Day…Political Tidbits
Labor Day…a traditional start of political campaigns…something better start this special election for Governor…or no one is going to vote…there is no enthusiasm about this election…it appears even party activists are quiet. WHAT IS GOING ON…State Republican Committee...
Political Tidbits…8.28.11
38 days and voters are counting when they will be free from another political campaign…all the while candidates for Governor are counting the money…financial reports were to be filed Friday…not yet posted on SOS website…appears Tomblin’s funds have come from...
Obama Supporter Writes
Obama and the ‘Competency Crisis’ By Mortimer Zuckerman (The Wall Street Journal) The rising impatience with the leadership of President Obama was epitomized on August 8 in the middle of one of the now habitual Wall Street roller coasters. This speech on the economy...
Political Tidbits…
448 DAYS until the presidential election…49 DAYS BEFORE West Virginia’s gubernatorial election…with more activity, enthusiasm and interest in the presidential race…maybe the WV campaigns have decided to stay under the radar…save their money and fight another day…as...
Department of What?
President Obama is thinking of creating a Department of Jobs which would merge the Department of Commerce, the Office of the United States Trade Representative and some economic divisions at the State Department. Of course he will market this as a commitment to job...
Obama & Boehner Fact Sheets
If you want to see what Washington is reading this morning about the debt deal. 4 page White House fact sheets, “Bipartisan Debt Deal: A Win for the Economy and Budget Discipline,” including the “Mechanics of the Debt Deal”. Click here to read. PDF Version. 7...
BILLBOARD Archives
Where is Obama’s Challenger?
It’s hard to believe this guy does not have a challenger in his party. Remember when Senator Eugene McCarthy challenged LBJ or when Senator Ted Kennedy took on President Jimmy Carter? They’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling By Peggy Noonan (The Wall Street Journal) Is it...
Conservatives Scold Tea Party
The political aspect of the ongoing debt debate in Washington has huge consequences for the Republican Party and its 2012 nominee. The piece below offers the views of prominent conservative writers. Scold Your Own By Peter Catapano (NYT Opinionator) Well, something...
Morning After Reading
Baby Talk By William Kristol (The Weekly Standard.com) I was struck by these sentences in President Obama’s speech. Read the full story here. Congress In the Lead By David Brooks (The New York Times) Some of us like to think big. We thought at the beginning of this...
Inside Look at Boehner’s Call
A Capitol Hill newsletter, The Hill provides an inside look at Boehner’s call this afternoon. Boehner aims to have proposal Monday; Reid, Pelosi meet Obama By Molly K. Hooper, Russell Berman and Sam Youngman On a Sunday afternoon conference call with House...
BREAKING…Republicans Vote
Republican and Independent voters will have a voice in who represents them at the national Republican convention in 2012. State Executive Committee members decided to select delegates at the May primary 2012. Leaders from across the state voted unanimously not...
GOP Convention Debate
Convention vs. Primary West Virginia state code provides for political parties to determine how delegates to their national conventions will be selected. Republicans will make a decision this Saturday at a State Executive Committee meeting. Yes, I am for a primary....
Summer Tidbits…GOP Convention Rules
SUMMERTIME and the living is easy…but not for Bill Maloney the GOP candidate for Governor…he seems to be everywhere…parades, civic clubs, Republican events, interviews…and even a graduation speech in Nicholas County…and the work goes on. Draft Convention Rules for...
Cantor vs. Obama or Obama vs. Cantor?
Here is a little something for your evening reading. I remember working on Capitol Hill during Watergate…bet it is worst tonight. What Happen Between Cantor and Obama? By Michael D. Shear (The Caucus, New York Times Something happened between President Obama and...
Debt & Political Update
After an early morning reading of the debt news…or shall I say political news I have pulled together various pieces you may not have seen. This should give readers of phillipsbillboard a quick update. As all know there is much at stake here. Debt talks blow up By...
BREAKING — Obama Storms Out of Meeting
A respect Washington publication National Journal has reported on President Obama who “Stormed Out” of a debt meeting. There will be more details here than cable news will have time to report. Cantor: Obama Stormed Out of Debt-Ceiling Talks By Bill House, Katy...
Post Primary Gubernatorial Financial Reports
The post-primary financial reports of the candidates for Governor are filed. However, interest remains in what the candidates did with their money in the final days. Just reading the news accounts it appears the flow of campaign spending out of the state continued. ...
Political Tidbits…for Democrats & Republicans
Political Tidbits…for DEMOCRATS Democrats rallied at COALTON DAYS…a small community in Randolph County where family…friends…and politicians gather annually…the weekend before WV Day…it’s like a big family reunion…the population of 249 grows to about 4,000…not all are...