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As Wars Wind Down, Congress Revisits Presidential Powers

As Wars Wind Down, Congress Revisits Presidential Powers

In turn, they believe, presidents will be more politically sensitive to using their powers to carry out military actions absent specific approval from Congress. Mr. Kaine, for instance, said Mr. Biden’s recent airstrikes in Syria, which he ordered without congressional authorization, “show that the executive branch, regardless of party, will continue to stretch its war powers.”

President Barack Obama more or less dared Congress in 2015 to debate the use of military force abroad, but both parties refused for opposite reasons. Republicans were loath to grant Mr. Obama authority because they disapproved of his foreign policies, and Democrats were still stinging from the vote in 2002 to authorize the war in Iraq.

But time and the resident of the White House have shifted the ground, and a broad group supports a repeal of the 2002 authorization including the conservative Heritage Foundation and Concerned Veterans for America, as well as VoteVets, a liberal nonprofit group that supports Democrats, and the American Legion, the veterans’ advocacy group.

Mr. Obama sent mixed messages about his view of presidential war powers, and President Donald J. Trump would have vetoed efforts to eliminate the 2002 authorization. But Mr. Biden, who was once the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has always been more sympathetic toward the constitutional role that Congress has on matters of war.

“The president is committed to working with the Congress to ensure that outdated authorizations for the use of military force are replaced with a narrow and specific framework appropriate to ensure that we can continue to protect Americans from terrorist threats,” the White House said in a statement.

The remaining uncertainty may be one or two Senate Democrats and several Senate Republicans who remain skeptical of the repeal. This week, Senators Joni Ernst of Iowa, Susan Collins of Maine, Josh Hawley of Missouri, John Thune of South Dakota and other Republicans said in interviews that they were open to repeal of the 2002 measure.

“It’s something we’re all I think going to be looking at,” Mr. Thune said.

Mr. Young, a retired Marine captain, may be persuasive in helping round up Republican support for the Senate bill being pushed by Mr. Kaine, who has worked on this issue for decades.

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Cuomo to signal regulation stripping emergency his Covid powers

Cuomo to sign law stripping emergency his Covid powers

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo rejected calls to resign Sunday after new allegations of inappropriate workplace behavior were raised. However, he will sign a bill that removes his emergency powers to fight the Covid-19 pandemic as he faces growing political pressure from his own party.

The Democratic governor, who grappled with waves of criticism and called for his resignation over dueling crises in his government, also vowed that he would “not be distracted” in the fight against Covid.

“I am signing the State Emergency Powers Act today and I will implement it today,” Cuomo said on a conference call with reporters.

Cuomo said he would take this step with the “major change” that will allow Empire State restaurants outside of New York City to increase indoor dining capacity from 50% to 75%.

“The numbers have gone down. If the numbers have gone down, we’ll adjust the economic reopening valve,” said Cuomo.

The change will be implemented on March 19, according to the governor. But he warned: “If the numbers change, if something happens, if there is a downturn, then obviously we will adjust.”

Cuomo is under fire amid a growing number of allegations of sexual harassment or inappropriate workplace behavior, as well as an ongoing scandal over his government’s handling of care home deaths in Covid.

New York Senate majority leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins ​​on Sunday called for Cuomo’s resignation after two more women were added to the file to accuse the governor of inappropriate behavior.

“Every day there is a different report that stands out from the government business,” said Stewart-Cousins.

“We have allegations of sexual harassment, a toxic work environment, the loss of credibility related to the Covid-19 nursing home data and questions about the construction of a major infrastructure project.”

“New York is still in the midst of this pandemic and still facing the social, health and economic repercussions,” she said. “We have to govern without daily distraction. For the good of the state, Governor Cuomo must resign.”

Carl Heastie, the Democratic spokesman for the New York State Assembly, said in a statement Sunday that he “agrees with Stewart cousins” on the governor’s ability to continue running this state.

“The allegations about the governor that have been reported over the past few weeks have been deeply troubling and have no place in government, at work or anywhere else,” said Heastie.

“We face many challenges and I think it is time for the governor to give serious thought to whether he can effectively meet the needs of the people of New York.”

But Cuomo was defiant earlier on Sunday when he was riddled with questions about several women’s allegations, including two more who came up on Saturday.

“There are some lawmakers suggesting that I step down on allegations,” Cuomo said. Some members of Cuomo’s own party, including Senator Alessandra Biaggi, have asked him to resign.

“I was elected by the people of this state, I was not elected by politicians. I will not resign on charges,” he said.

“The premise of resigning on allegations is indeed anti-democratic,” added Cuomo. He urged people to let New York Attorney General Letitia James conduct her independent investigation into harassment claims before drawing any conclusions.

“Let the attorney general do her job. She’s very good, she’s very competent. And that’s going to be a due process and then we’ll have the facts,” he said.

“There is no way I can step down,” added Cuomo. “But I won’t let that distract me either … We have a lot to do.”

When asked about Biaggi in particular, Cuomo replied: “I have a flash of news for you: There is politics in politics.”

“I have political differences with people,” said Cuomo, also with some Democrats and Biaggi. “But they don’t override the will of the people. They don’t override elections. They cannot hear an allegation and decide on the allegation,” he said.

– CNBC’s Dan Mangan contributed to this report.

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Battle over Fed lending powers holds up deal

Fight over Fed lending powers holds up deal

The US Capitol will be on display in Washington (USA) on November 6, 2020 after the 2020 US presidential election.

Erin Scott | Reuters

A last-minute battle over Federal Reserve lending powers has become the latest hurdle for lawmakers on both parties in hopes of passing a $ 900 billion coronavirus stimulus bill.

Although the atmosphere on Capitol Hill remained optimistic about the chances of a deal, Democrats criticize Senator Pat Toomey, R-Pa., In hopes that he will drop regulations on a new sticking point: the Fed’s loan programs.

If the Senator’s language were adopted by Pennsylvania, it would ensure the incoming government cannot revive the Fed’s emergency loan programs.

“That’s the most important thing to me,” Toomey told reporters on Thursday. He added that his stance is about “preventing the Fed from becoming politicized” and “not at all about obstructing the Biden administration in any way or weakening our economy.”

Democrats, concerned about record levels of new Covid infections, say Toomey and other Republicans are working to tie Joe Biden’s hands before his inauguration.

“While we are encouraged by bipartisan efforts to provide critical relief to millions of Americans, the package should not contain unnecessary provisions that would undermine the Treasury Department and the Federal Reserve’s ability to combat economic crises,” said Brian Deese, Biden’s new Secretary of Commerce Council director said in a statement.

“Undermining that authority could mean less lending to businesses on Main Street, higher unemployment and bigger economic problems across the country,” he added.

Senator Pat Toomey, R-Pa.,

Bill Clark | CQ appeal | Getty Images

A Toomey spokesman did not immediately respond to CNBC’s request for comment.

Congress granted the Fed extraordinary lending powers in March through the CARES bill for $ 2.2 trillion, which allowed the central bank to lend to small and medium-sized businesses, as well as state and local governments, thanks to many Covid19 struggled with severe revenue losses.

The Fed said it wanted to extend the programs but it now needs to return the unused capital that has been allocated to the facilities.

These expanded credit powers expire later this year after Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin refused to ask Congress for an extension. Janet Yellen, Biden’s Treasury candidate, could theoretically ask lawmakers to reintroduce the programs if Toomey’s language is omitted.

Mnuchin said in November that up to $ 800 billion of potential firepower can be deployed through the Exchange Stabilization Fund and elsewhere if needed, adding, “We don’t need to buy more corporate bonds. The municipal market works, people can land borrowing money in the markets. “

Just minutes before Mnuchin’s November 20th interview, Chicago Fed President Charles Evans told CNBC that the Treasury Department’s move was “disappointing.”

Most of the originally allocated funds, approximately $ 429 billion, have not been used or loaned and will instead be used towards a large portion of the bill currently negotiated.

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Biden Cupboard nominees pledge to make use of federal powers to handle crises

Biden Cabinet nominees pledge to use federal powers to address crises

US President-elect Joe Biden speaks to reporters as he announces candidates and candidates during a press conference at his interim headquarters in Wilmington, Delaware on December 11, 2020.

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WASHINGTON – President-elect Joe Biden introduced several of his candidates to head domestic affairs agencies on Friday, highlighting how members of his cabinet would use the powers of the federal government to help Americans in need.

Accompanied by Vice President-elect Kamala Harris at the event at a Wilmington, Delaware hotel, Biden began making brief remarks on the coronavirus pandemic before introducing his candidate to lead the Department of Agriculture, Tom Vilsack.

He also introduced his nominee for Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Rep. Marcia Fudge, D-Ohio; his candidate for Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Denis McDonough; and for US sales representative Katherine Tai.

Biden also announced that Susan Rice, a former national security adviser to President Barack Obama, has agreed to serve as director of the White House Home Affairs Council, a powerful position in the west wing that will give Rice broad influence on a number of issues .

Taken together, Biden said his candidates bring “deep experience and bold new thinking” to federal agencies and the White House. “Most of all, they know how the government can and should work for all Americans.”

Biden stressed how any member of his cabinet would help Americans face multiple overlapping crises: the coronavirus pandemic, a deep recession, and an impending spike in evictions and food insecurity.

For example, Fudge will “use every lever at her disposal to help the millions of Americans facing eviction – trying to pay their mortgage and find their way through this crisis,” Biden said.

U.S. Representative Marcia Fudge speaks on December 11, 2020 after being named Secretary of Housing and Urban Development by U.S. President-elect Joe Biden (R) in Wilmington, Delaware.

Jim Watson | AFP | Getty Images

And Vilsack “knows the full range of resources available in the [Department of Agriculture] Get immediate assistance to those most in need and address crises in rural America. “

The nominees also made brief comments, emphasizing how various federal agencies would help a nationwide recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.

Rice spoke last and tied everything together.

US President-elect Joe Biden (R) watches as former National Security Advisor to Obama Susan Rice makes remarks after being unveiled as Biden’s decision to present his home affairs council on December 11, 2020 at the Queen Theater in Wilmington, Delaware, to direct.

Chip Somodevilla | Getty Images

“Today we face a profound series of crises: a relentless pandemic, a troubled economy, urgent demands for racial justice and justice, a climate that needs healing, a democracy that needs to be repaired, and a world that needs renewed Americans for leadership “, she said.

“Our top priorities will be to help end the pandemic and revitalize an economy that cares for all, brings dignity and humanity to our broken immigration system, promotes racial justice, justice and civil rights for all, and ensures that healthcare is affordable and to be accessible and educate and train Americans to compete and thrive in the 21st century, “Rice continued.

“I firmly believe that we can all move up or down together – absolutely all of us.”

Just 40 days before his inauguration, Biden is putting together a cabinet that is unprecedented in its racial and gender diversity. Tai, Fudge, and Rice are all women of color.

Earlier this week, Biden announced that retired General Lloyd Austin was his decision to run the Pentagon, making Austin the first black man to ever be appointed Secretary of Defense.

However, Biden has come under heavy pressure from civil rights groups to add even more diversity to his cabinet, particularly nominating an Asian American for a top position in the cabinet.

On Friday, several groups representing Asian Americans and Pacific islanders released a joint statement criticizing “the remarkable absence of Asian American cabinet secretaries” in the Biden administration.

“President-elect Biden is well on the way to being the first president in over 20 years to fail to nominate an Asian American for the role of cabinet secretary in his administration,” said the statement made by the National Council Asia Pacific has submitted to CNBC Americans.

But Asian Americans aren’t the only group currently pressuring Biden to be more prominent in his White House: on Tuesday, he and Harris met with leaders of older civil rights groups, including the NAACP and the National Urban League.

They called on Biden to create a new position in the White House, a racial justice advisor who should be tasked with coordinating government-wide efforts to combat systemic racism.

Biden has so far refused to comment on the specific recommendations and inquiries he receives from lawyers. But he told CNN last week, “Every advocacy group out there is pushing for more and more of what they want. That is their job.”

However, in the same interview, Biden also defended his cabinet selection, noting that they were already “the most diverse cabinet ever announced in American history”.