Commentary
The debate over policy differences on issues like health insurance and the role of government in providing health care to its citizens is one thing; the debate over protection of our nation’s sovereignty and defending its citizens from foreign invasion is another.
Though one can argue about the terminology used to describe the onslaught of illegal border crossings and illegal migration into our country, the reality is that crossing any nation’s border without permission is a crime for a reason. And while U.S. politicians from both sides of the political aisle have offered rhetoric, only President Donald Trump has shown the political will to actually follow through on his promises.
The lame duck Republican-controlled House finally passed a bill providing for border barriers and security on the southern border, only to be stopped by the Senate Democrats, whose leader has boldly stated they won’t give an inch toward the border wall the president wants.
The Senate has now adjourned for the Christmas holiday while the president and his family stayed in Washington, amid a government shutdown forced by the Senate minority leader’s belligerence. So perhaps now is the perfect time for the president to invoke his authority, reach into his bag of constitutional presidential powers, and take the battle to the next level.
Special Session
Article II, Section 3, of the U.S. Constitution gives the president the power, among other things, to “on extraordinary occasions, convene both Houses [of Congress], or either of them.” With the flood of illegal migrants threatening to pour into our nation by the thousands, if there was ever an “extraordinary occasion,” it’s now.Then-candidate Trump suggested in 2016 that he would convene a special session of Congress to repeal and replace Obamacare, but the threat remained just that and was ultimately not needed. Now, it’s time for the president to recall that power and use it to its fullest until Congress provides for the nation’s security on the border, as the president requests as the elected executive to defend the nation.
The president should effectively cancel the Senate’s holiday recess by convening a special session for the Senate for the remainder of this year and, if necessary, adjourn the new Congress and convene in a special session under his terms until, and unless, they fund border security as requested.
Rick Dalton is the editor of @POTUSPRESS on Twitter
Views expressed in this article are opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
