To Sue Or Not To Sue – That is the Question
My initial assessment on this particular gambit by Mr. Boehner is that it is a fool’s errand. Granted, that opinion is not based on any current research into the legality, other than my reading of the US Constitution and (hopefully) a dollop of common sense.
For the record, let me state that I am appalled at the president’s apparent lack of respect for the rule of law and his imperious interpretation of his oath to “preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States.” I am of the opinion that those words which he quoted (twice) as he assumed office were simply sounds with no meaning to him and the inauguration ceremonies were a necessary evil to be endured as antiquated trappings on the path to a coronation.
But, I digress. Obviously, the only Court which would have jurisdiction in this case if it comes to fruition would be the US Supreme Court, because of the case originating in one of the co-equal branches of our government. I suspect SCOTUS will politely decline to even hear it. The logistics would be nightmarish. The optics are worse.
This current ploy by Mr. Boehner has all the earmarks of a temper tantrum. Even if he can prove a legal basis for bringing this suit, I don’t see how that translates to anything but contempt and derision from the American people at large.
Technically speaking, our three co-equal branches of government are 1/2 + 1/2 + 1 + 1 — the House and Senate each comprising the halves of the first enumeration. For the most part, those two halves are equal in their responsibility to ensuring that good government of the people, by the people is the continuing norm for the country. Although responsibilities differ somewhat, i.e., the power to levy taxes vs. advice and consent to the president, the intent of the Framers was to provide adequate checks and balances on each branch, and in this case, each branch of the branch to prevent the consolidation of too much power in one entity.
The Supreme Court, were they to accept this case would then be complicit in fudging the math to a new interpretation of 1 1/2 + 1/2 + 1, or possibly even 2 1/2 + 1/2, regardless of what determination they might reach.
Chief Justice John Roberts, in his opinion on the Affordable Care Act, when he singlehandedly rewrote the clear and concise language of Congress, changing it from a mandate (unconstitutional) to a tax (a power granted to Congress by the Constitution), stated that:
Elections have consequences.
There is absolutely no reason to believe that his opinion will have changed in the time since that decision was handed down, and therefore, every reason to believe that the Court would reject this case on that basis alone.
However, there is an even bigger reason for the Court to reject this out of hand. That reason is given in the Constitution itself. In the charter for this country’s government, the House is given the power to restrain any over ambitious president. The House of Representatives can bring Articles of Impeachment on the basis of “high crimes and misdemeanors”. Granted, those articles then need to be voted on by the Senate, and if approved, the president can be removed—a tedious and time-consuming process at best.
My point is, the means are already provided in the document that authorizes our system of government in the first place. That document says nothing about the Senate having to agree with the conclusions of the House.
If Boehner truly believes the president has exceeded his Constitutional authority, he should make a stronger case to those who disagree with him and he should act within the confines already established by that document he is claiming to protect. Going around or outside the Constitution in this instance would lend credence to a dangerous precedent already embraced by the president and his administration.
What we have is a gaggle of ducks scattering hither and to. There is no organization of the ducks. This is what I see. We are within 5 months of mid term elections at which time the pendulum of power is expected to swing to the legislative branch of the tree. Boehner is serving up a barkeeps son’s attempt at duck wrangling, (hopefully without becoming tearful.) So that post election those ducks are in a row. At which time the Trey Gowdy led special committee will without mercy hold the executive branch to account for such things as aiding the enemy, gross incompetence, destroying evidence requested by oversight and numerous high crimes and misdemeanors. The executive will have a pen and he will have a phone but they will not save him. I foresee the most disgraceful exit from the presidency in our history. It has to happen in order to preserve the dignity of the presidency. Boehner’s lawsuit is a preamble to the most important impeachment trial our government has ever undertaken, but I digress. At this point what difference does it make?
But, that would imply at least the rudimentary evolution of a spine on the current Speaker’s part and the foresight to plan strategically in addition to tactical implementation (good fortune often being related to good preparation) of those plans. If all those are true, then there must be a new, trusted set of advisers, or at the very least, a new found desire to place a strong block in the building of legacy. Or perhaps, the sudden, meteoric rise of your aforementioned Mr. Gowdy to such prominence with the American people may well have the Speaker concerned with retaining his position.
As to your point on impeachment, I do not see the current leadership of the House being inclined to pursue that option. A change in leadership? Who knows.
However, even if the House were to take up the issue, it would still require 66 members of the Senate to confirm. I don’t believe the numbers will be present even if the minority party in the Senate makes significant gains in the midterms. They need 6 just to achieve a simple majority. That still leaves 15 to make up in some sort of combination of additional pickups and other party crossovers to vote with them. Very, very difficult.
I also have my doubts that the public at large would understand, agree with, and, or support the decision. Public opinion alone will speak loudly in any possible consideration of such weighty Constitutional matters.