CEI Calls USA Act an “Important Step” to Restoring Separation of Powers

The Competitive Enterprise Institute supports the Unauthorized Spending Accountability (USA) Act of 2017, aimed at reducing and bringing transparency to executive branch spending. Ryan Young, a fellow at CEI explains:

“Separation of powers is one of the United States government’s most basic principles. But for several decades, presidents from both parties have gradually concentrated more and more power in the executive branch, at the expense of Congress and the judiciary. A bill introduced today from Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.), the Unauthorized Spending Accountability (USA) Act of 2017, seeks to rebalance a tilted scale. It would tackle unauthorized executive branch programs, hold Congress accountable for those programs, and create a commission to assess proper oversight of mandatory spending programs. Restoring a proper separation of powers is a tall order and the USA Act is no panacea for all of government’s ills, but it would mark an important step in a crucial area of reform.”