Executive Order Governing
Much has been made about the huge number of executive orders signed in the first week of the Biden Administration…more than in the first week of his three predecessors combined and then some.
Those on the left say it shows he’s getting to work to fix everything that Donald Trump ruined. Those on the right say it’s the move of a dictator who doesn’t care about democracy.
Both are probably right. One thing is for certain–it’s the action of someone who is not worried about running for re-election. Let’s face it, Biden is a one-term president; he almost admitted as much while campaigning. We’re a long way from 2024, but even the staunchest Democrat or Biden supporter wouldn’t buy too many “Biden 2024” campaign buttons at this point.
There are many dangers in governing like this…but let’s talk about a political danger, and that’s for Democrats in Congress. If Joe Biden signs an order, it essentially takes one more thing off their immediate to-do list. The theory is to have an executive order now, and backstop it with formal legislation later. But if there’s no pressure for a Congress to take action…they won’t do it. And certainly not on contentious matters, like the subjects of so many of these orders.
What will members of Congress have to run on in 2022, if all their possible legislative achievements are stolen by Biden’s executive order pen? And when you don’t have a congressional majority to pass a bill, the action itself has far less broad support among citizens.
In past times, a president with an agenda would try the normal and preferred route first, of going through Congress. Actually, if that failed, that used to be it; but the president Biden served under, Barack Obama, used the executive order as a manner in which to get his way when Congress wouldn’t cooperate. Not exactly how the balance of power is supposed to operate. Obviously, Donald Trump used the tactic to erase ones Obama had done…and now Biden is taking it to a new art form, signing executive orders like he’s a hall of fame ballplayer at a trade show getting paid for each autograph he signs.
It shows disregard for the process, for citizens, and for Congress. But when you aren’t seeking re-election, what do you care?
