House Republicans overlook oversight in Trump defense

Some experts view Republican questions at impeachment proceedings as a betrayal of Congress’ constitutional role

Tactics that House Republicans have used during the ongoing impeachment hearings to defend President Donald Trump’s interests come at a cost to Congress’ constitutional role as a check on the president, some congressional watchers warn.

Republicans clearly have a duty to test the credibility and potential bias of witnesses at the House Intelligence Committee and to vigorously object to what they see as an unfair and overly partisan process.

But some of Trump’s congressional allies have gone beyond that in ways that could ultimately abdicate the responsibility to do oversight of the executive branch to ensure the president doesn’t undermine U.S. policies and properly dispenses appropriated funds, experts say.

View the complete November 21 article by Todd Ruger on The Roll Call website here.