Scott Powell: How the 118th U.S. Congress Could Deliver Lasting Results

Kevin McCarthy has won his battle for the position of speaker in the 118th Congress. The business of governing must begin with vigore and expediency. 

We know it’s necessary to have broad Congressional hearings for discovery of causes of our dysfunction and corruption in our federal government. Americans are naturally skeptical about government hearings. In the past, such hearings were almost always followed by inaction. 

SIt may be more important to create legislative bills that address the most pressing problems facing our country. This will allow voters to see the impact of bills that have broad support in the Senate and get vetoed or defeated by the President. The ideal scenario is for good problem-solving legislation to not only be approved by the House but also be aligned with national interest and solve the concerns of the people. The bills should be well-drafted and properly positioned so that Congress fulfills its Constitutional obligation to redirect the country. 

The founders had in mind that Constitutional checks would be set up so that corrupt presidents or an executive branch that is not following the rules could be checked. 

The two-thirds majority required to override an executive’s veto is a very high hurdle. Still, the spirit and letter of the Constitution is to conduct such efforts, particularly on bills that deal with national security, government corruption, and the peoples’ unalienable God-given rights—three categories about which Congressional hearings should also be simultaneously focused. These bills could be focused on: 

• Sentence penalties for elected officials who fail to keep their oaths. 

• The requirement that foreign aid be used to address specific problems in other countries must be met by the simple test that these funds can’t be released until that problem is addressed at home in the U.S. This means that no money will be released for border security in Ukraine and other countries as long as the U.S. Southern border is under control. 

• Provide for the defunding of the Justice Department (and the FBI) whenever their actions become so politically charged that they resulted in an unequal two tiered practice law enforcement and justice.

• Providing for the defunding of the Department of Homeland Security upon failure in its obligation to provide secure borders, coupled with redirecting those funds to border states’ National Guard forces and other state-controlled border protection projects and assets.

• A bill declaring that foreign criminal cartels target Americans as consumers or participants, be made terrorist organizations and subject U.S. military targets.

• A bill that prohibits further drawing down of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Also prohibits the import of oil at prices exceeding what can legally be supplied domestically by free market initiatives. 

• A bill that provides for penalties when Americans’ First Amendment rights are violated by any federal agencies, including, but not limited to the FBI, DOJ, DHS, CDC, NIH, DOD, and CIA, who have engaged in covert communication operations against American citizens that include but are not limited to psychological operations and media manipulation. 

• A bill that respects states’ rights but sets uniform rules on national elections in select areas, such as prohibiting mail in ballots, except in specified and limited circumstances, and prohibiting the practice of ballot harvesting.

• A bill that establishes clear and ultimate parental authority in their children’s’ lives, giving parents the rights to demand and receive full disclosure of school curriculum and programs that affect the thinking, attitudes, and values of their children. 

• A bill that prohibits minors from having sex with anyone under 18.  

As we begin the new year of 2023 with the Republican Party in control of the House of Representatives, Congress must do two things:  First, propose bills that solve big problems and have overwhelming support of most Americans. Second, investigate government corruption, malfeasance, and violations of American citizens’ Constitutional rights. 

The long-running debate and concessions to the leaders of the 40 member Freedom Caucus, which were required for Kevin McCarthy to win the votes to become Speaker of the House, is the first sign that there has been a significant change in the system and protocols that have been in existence for too long. We will soon be able to see if there is real substance—manifest in prosecutions, legal penalties, and impeachments—and not just form. The 118th Congress has the mandate to deliver results to the American people. 

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