With negotiations over a (yes!) fifth COVID-19 rescue package at an impasse, President Trump took action on his own Saturday, signing executive orders on …
With negotiations over a (yes!) fifth COVID-19 rescue package at an impasse, President Trump took action on his own Saturday, signing executive orders on a number of “stimulus” measures. Whether his actions or Congress’ ultimately prevail, expect a pretty hefty price tag — and dubious economic benefits. For starters, unilateral steps by a president, especially regarding the budget, are often legally and politically fraught. The Constitution gives Congress the power over the purse, and if there isn’t enough political will to act, it can be a stretch for presidents to simply use their “phone and pen” (as President Barack Obama put it when he issued his own EOs) and sidestep lawmakers. Democrats have already questioned the legality of Trump’s move, and even he says he expects a lawsuit. Besides that, some of his measures are questionable on the merits: His payroll-tax cut, for example, won’t help people out of work, and those with jobs don’t really need it.
