Prove It!

From the depths of the Atlantic to the disastrously melting icecaps of the Arctic, the commitment and expertise of the United States Armed Forces and its allies lie at the heart of NATO, pledged to each other’s defense, protecting our citizens and interests, keeping North Americans and Europeans safe from our common adversaries.

The U.S. Supreme Court Historical Society has calculated that Magna Carta is cited in at least 160 Supreme Court cases since 1789, not least as the foundation of the principle that executive power is subject to checks and balances.

~King Charles III/April 28, 2026

During the British monarch’s address to a joint session of the U.S. Congress, members of both parties gave King Charles standing ovations including in response to the two excerpts above. As many journalists and commentators noted, this was an incredible moment for one simple reason. It harkened back to the days when, regardless of who occupied the White House, support for NATO, protecting the environment and the constitutional principles of checks and balances were not partisan issues. This morning, Joe Scarborough summed it up this way. “Republicans seemed relieved that someone said the things that they have been unable to.”

This euphoria was tempered by the follow-up questions Scarborough asked his guests. Was this just a brief respite from the populist nationalism which has gripped the nation for the past decade? Or will there be a lasting impact? Most of the panel seemed skeptical a foreigner, a king no less, could loosen the grip that Donald Trump holds over members of his party. There is only ONE way to prove them wrong. A flurry of congressional action to rebalance the American agenda consistent with the values King Charles laid out. May I suggest the following:

FOREIGN POLICY

A joint resolution affirming the United States commitment to NATO and especially Article V, assuring our Trans-Atlantic allies that America is committed to our mutual defense against attacks by our adversaries.


Instead of a $200 billion supplemental Department of Defense appropriation for the war in Iran, immediately pass an economic and military assistance supplemental for Ukraine. The amount should be determined in consultation with NATO commensurate with matching commitments by other NATO members.


A joint resolution directing the administration to re-engage all of the signatories to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) for purposes of negotiating an agreement with the government of Iran that caps production of enriched uranium below that required for nuclear weapons, specifies uses for which such enriched uranium may be used, and provides for on-site verification of compliance with the agreement.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

Establishment of a bi-partisan joint select committee on the environment charged with developing a long-term energy policy that balances the short-term dependence on fossil fuels and supports research and development of alternate sources of energy.


Legislation prohibiting the executive branch from unilaterally defunding alternative energy projects that have been approved through the regulatory process established in the Environmental Protection Act.


Legislating prohibiting additional oil exploration and other commercial development projects in U.S. National Parks without prior approval by Congress.

CHECKS AND BALANCES

Passage of a “Federal Asset Identification and Labeling Act” (FAIL). The act would prohibit a sitting president from affixing his name or likeness to any federally funded asset including but not limited to buildings, property, federal programs, financial obligations (e.g. currency or federal disbursements) or other documents with the exception of White House correspondence.


Passage of an “Executive Order Review Act.” The act would establish a 30-day waiting period before an executive order takes effect during which the House and Senate Oversight Committees may review the executive order. If they determine the executive order covers an action, which under the Constitution or U.S. Code requires congressional approval, the waiting period is extended until Congress has either acted on the substance or  shelves further consideration. The act waives this requirement if Congress has declared war or the president has declared a national emergency under procedures required by the National Emergencies Act of 1976.


Passage of a “National Capital Area Scenic Preservation Act.” The act would prohibit exterior modification of any federal building or monument or the construction of such physical assets on federal property in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area without prior approval by Congress.


Passage of an “Independent Commission Appointment Act.” The act would require that the total number of appointments to congressionally established independent commissions that are not subject to Senate confirmation must be divisible by three with the president, Senate majority leader and Speaker of the House authorized to each appoint one-third of the membership.  Furthermore, a sitting president may not serve as chairman or a member of any independent commission.

I know, this sounds like more bureaucracy.  And you may ask, if these changes are so important, why were they not considered previously.  Need I really answer that question.  As many have pointed out, the authors of the founding documents made a bad assumption.  They thought the country’s leaders would always be men (and now women) of good will, who understood independence from the crown was not about the reigning monarch.  It was, as Abraham Lincoln affirmed at Gettysburg, about “government of the people, by the people, and for the people.”

They assumed that every future president would channel Jefferson, Franklin and Lincoln.  Instead, imagine what they would think of the great, great, great, great grandson of George III standing before a joint session of Congress and reminding the attendees why they are there.  Then in the most polite way a British monarch could say it, told them, “Get off your arse and do your job.”

For what it’s worth.
Dr. ESP