Congress Should Cancel the State of the Union Address in 2015

Congress Should Cancel the State of the Union Address in 2015

Congressional Republicans are searching for ways–short of impeachment or shutting down the government–to respond to President Barack Obama’s seizure of arbitrary power over immigration law and enforcement. One way would be to cancel the State of the Union address next year, so that the elected representatives of the people do not have to listen to, or applaud, a man who is violating his oath of office and governing as a tyrant.

The State of the Union is provided for by Article II, Section 3 of the Constitution, governing the power of the president: “He shall from time to time give to the Congress information of the state of the union, and recommend to their consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient…”. Throughout American history, there are examples of presidents who have sent a written report rather than giving a speech.

Congress should indicate to President Obama that his presence is not welcome on Capitol Hill as long as his “executive amnesty” remains in place. The gesture would, no doubt, be perceived as rude, but it is appropriate–and would be far less jarring or uncomfortable than the hostile reception Obama would likely receive in person. In lieu of an address, Congress would offer to read aloud whatever document Obama saw fit to send through.

Technically, the president can compel one or both Houses of Congress to convene “on extraordinary occasions,” according to the Constitution. The State of the Union is not such an occasion. Congress should refuse to offer any further legitimacy to a man who has shown that he does not take the Constitution seriously–and spare the nation the spectacle of cheers, smiles and handshakes greeting someone who has abused the public trust.

Senior Editor-at-Large Joel B. Pollak edits Breitbart California and is the author of the new ebook, Wacko Birds: The Fall (and Rise) of the Tea Party, available for Amazon Kindle.

Follow Joel on Twitter: @joelpollak

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