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Last month, the Senate voted to use the Congressional Review Act to undo an Obama-era regulation issued by the Interior Department. In response, the director of the Department’s Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement told Politico, “I believe there’s a good chance that […] a court will overturn Congress’ actions here as an unconstitutional usurpation of the executive branch’s powers.”

One of the most important features of the United States Constitution is the sharing of war powers between Congress and the president. The Framers knew the Executive Branch, united under the direction of a single individual, would possess certain characteristics – “Decision, activity, secrecy, and despatch,” as Alexander Hamilton famously wrote – that are necessary for conducting successful wars and responding quickly to national-security emergencies. Likewise, they understood that the Legislative Branch’s unique attributes – its proximity to the people and its consensus-based policymaking process, for instance – are best suited for making decisions that involve long-term commitments and include significant changes to the United States’ relationship with a foreign power.

"I look forward to voting to confirm Mr. Pruitt as EPA Administrator, and I encourage my colleagues to do the same."

"Conservatives may not support everything this coalition does. And when we don’t, we should say so. But we are a part of it now. And within it, I believe conservatives can thrive – if we do what we do best."