Update
Only logged in members can reply and interact with the post.
Join SimilarWorlds for FREE »

Congress May Cut Judicial Budgets to Rein In Activist Judges, Says Jim Jordan

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan is warning Congress may soon use the appropriations process to punish wayward federal judges who ignore the Supreme Court’s precedents, especially when it comes to issuing injunctions that block Trump administration policies.

“There may be ways we can use the power of the purse, which is, again, what the founders thought, that was the biggest power that the legislative branch had relative to the others,” Jordan said Monday night on the Just the News, No Noise TV show. “So I think we’re looking at that process as it unfolds here over the next three months.”

This fight comes as no surprise. The latest example of judicial defiance came from a federal judge in Boston appointed by former President Barack Obama. This judge, Indira Talwani, single-handedly blocked a Trump administration policy that would have defunded the abortion giant Planned Parenthood.

Her ruling came just weeks after the Supreme Court specifically voted to limit the power of lower court judges to issue these kinds of sweeping orders. President Trump rightly celebrated that Supreme Court decision as a “GIANT WIN,” but activist judges are clearly not listening.

So, what can be done? According to Jordan, the solution is simple: hit them in their budget. He made it clear that Congress would never touch funds for security, especially with the threats made against justices like Brett Kavanaugh.

Instead, Jordan is looking at other parts of the judicial budget. “The Judicial Conference just asked for a big, big raise in their budget,” he noted. “I think we need to take a look at that and decide.” Denying pay raises and lavish budget increases would send a powerful message that ignoring the Constitution has consequences.

For too long, Americans have watched helplessly as judges make law from the bench. Thanks to fighters like Jim Jordan, Congress is finally remembering its power to restore balance. The fight to drain the judicial swamp is just getting started.
Top | New | Old
GerOttman · 70-79, M
I have to wonder if there exists a scoreboard or something to keep track. You know, which orders are blocked, appeals status, win/loss columns.

That sorta thing. It really is hard to keep up with all of it on a daily basis.
SunshineGirl · 36-40, F
@GerOttman It wouldn't reflect very favourably on Trump. If only he would try governing democratically through Congress, all this litigation would be avoided. What precisely is he fearful of?
sunsporter1649 · 70-79, M
GerOttman · 70-79, M
@SunshineGirl Really?? Seems to me he's winning a lot more than losing. Dems are trying everything and not much of it's working. Didn't congress recently pass some kind of big beautiful jawn? Or doesn't that count...?
SunshineGirl · 36-40, F
Does randomly removing funding that has been voted for and allocated by Congress really count as a "policy"? Perhaps if Trump were a bit more explicit about what he is for (rather than just what he is against) the courts might find it easier to interpret what government policy actually is.

Instead he petulantly reacts by . . threatening to withdraw even more funding from a public service.
SunshineGirl · 36-40, F
@sunsporter1649 Governments and legislatures decide laws. Courts interpret them and judge if they contravene existing laws. Which is what is happening here. If Trump doesn't want to be continually frustrated by the judiciary, he needs to focus on drafting better and clearer legislation. Acting with, rather than against, Congress would be a wise first step.
sunsporter1649 · 70-79, M
@SunshineGirl Ladies and gentlemen, the President of the United States

This comment is hidden. Show Comment
@sunsporter1649 says
the power of the purse
Remind us, sunstroke, to what branch of government does the Constitution grant the power of the purse??

Congress, right?? So every time tRump tries to halt funding allocated by Congress, he is directly violating the Constitution. No two ways about it. And the judges you despise are upholding the Constitution. Simple as that.

sunsporter1649 · 70-79, M
@ElwoodBlues So the demonocrat-led congress is responceable for spending $20,000,000 on muppet shows, eh?
@sunsporter1649 says
is responceable for spending ...
Yes, sunstroke, Congress has frequently allocated money for early childhood education. It's really too bad you never benefited from any such expenditures!!
sunsporter1649 · 70-79, M
@ElwoodBlues Early childhood education in iraq?

 
Post Comment