Bill would allow Obama more control

Concerns about potential abuse of the U.S. Constitution has prompted the state House to pass a bill to make sure the U.S. Congress and President Barack Obama recognize the constitutional powers between the federal legislative and executive branches.

House Concurrent Resolution 3027 addresses the president’s use of executive orders, which allows the president to manage the operations of the federal government without legislation and congressional approval.

Rep. Roger Brabandt, R-Minot, said the U.S. Constitution said the president should faithfully execute the law, but doesn’t specifically give the executive branch the power to make laws.

Rep. Gail Mooney, D-Cummings, said President Obama has issued 148 executive orders compared to former Presidents Ronald Reagan’s 380, Bill Clinton’s 363 and George W. Bush’s 291.

“My concern is, what is the precedent we start going down with this if we start questioning and rising above the president of the United States?” she said. “Where do we intend for this to stop?”

The resolution was sent to the Senate by a 69-23 vote.

Tags: north dakota legislature, news