Washington Speak: As Presidential Power Expands, the Constitution and Law are Eroded

The New York Times reported today that the United States government is seeking ‘free trade” agreements with various countries in Europe and Asia without seeking congressional approval of these agreements. These nations are described as “allies” suffering from anxiety about American tax credits to be offered to Americans for purchase of electric vehicles manufactured in North America. The tax credits potentially total fifty billion dollars. This is causing problems with our so- called allies who are doing America a big favor in supporting the U.S. in the Ukrainian war (doing us a favor, really?). The tax credits are provided for in the Inflation Reduction Act signed into law by President Biden last year. For the electric vehicle to be eligible for the tax credit, a certain percentage of the minerals used in the electric batteries must be from nations with which we have free trade agreements. That seems to be the crux of the problem. President Biden has indicated he is open to tweaking the law to please Europe. To accomplish this, new free trade agreements concerning the involved minerals would need to be made with European and Asian countries. The question is whether these new free trade agreements would pass the congress as required. It is doubtful that the Republican controlled House would approve it and it is also doubtful if it could pass the Democrat controlled Senate.

So what’s more important, pleasing the rest of the world or following American law? Washington speak now moves into action to accomplish the impossible. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, at the G-20 meeting, has been quoted as follows: “It would be an agreement that would not require the agreement of Congress…. I think the word “free trade” was meant to mean reliable friends and partners with whom we can feel we can have secure supply chains”.

We all know that languages evolve, including the English language. But isn’t this overreaching? Washington officials should keep in mind that they have no monopoly on the English language. It’s time for the citizenry to make clear to the political elite that we are as conversant with English as they are. Follow the law and the Constitution!

Garry S. Sklar

Feb. 24, 2023

Las Vegas, NV