Joel Hefley: “Earlier this year Bill Clinton issued two executive orders that mandate profound policy changes. Neither of these…”

“Earlier this year Bill Clinton issued two executive orders that mandate profound policy changes. Neither of these executive orders received public input and as a result, both orders contained policy decisions which, if left unchallenged, will have far-reaching implications. I oppose these orders and am offering an amendment that would prohibit the use of funds to implement, enforce or administer either of these orders. This President has issued 254 orders since he has been President of the United States. Other Presidents have overdone it, too. I think it is time Congress questioned his use of the executive order process. Tonight we are going after the misuse of two executive orders, but we will be back to go after others. The first executive order, issued on May 14, virtually ignores the Tenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. This executive order, titled Federalism, establishes broad and ambiguous circumstances in which the Federal Government could intervene in matters that have traditionally been left to State and local governments. This executive order, which reverses a 1987 executive order by President Ronald Reagan, is nothing more than a power grab from the States.”