Legislators said the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision on Thursday to strike down appointments made by the Obama administration while the Senate was in recess would restore a system of checks and balances.
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that President Obama overstepped his authority when the president made temporary appointments to the National Labor Relations Board in 2012 without Senate confirmation.
House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) said the ruling affirmed the system of checks and balances, which is “enshrined” in the U.S. Constitution.
“The court is right to reject the president’s political gamesmanship, which places the special interests of union bosses ahead of American workers and job creators,” Issa said. “This unanimous decision makes it clear that President Obama acted without any legitimate authority and his power grab is outside any meaningful debate about the balance of power between the executive and legislative branches.”
Rep. Tim Griffin (R-Ark.) said the ruling reaffirmed the proper role of the legislative branch.
“(Thursday’s) ruling confirms the founding principles of our representative democracy that ensure no branch of government is all powerful,” Griffin said. “President Obama’s go-it-alone approach to governing and attempts to circumvent Congress show his general disregard for the constitution and contribute to Americans’ growing distrust of this administration. I will continue to support efforts in the House to safeguard our system of checks-and-balances to ensure our government effectively represents the American people.”
Rep. Candice Miller (R-Mich.) said the court’s decision would rein in presidential overreach now and in the future.
“This ruling is an important and overdue judicial check on overreach by this president and any future president,” Miller said. “In the coming weeks, I intend to support further actions in the House to defend the constitution, protect our cherished system of government based on the separation of powers, and make very clear that every American is equal under the law.”