The Problem: Presidents have withheld or redirected funds Congress already approved, undermining Congress’ fundamental power of the purse.

The Solution: Strengthen the Impoundment Control Act to close loopholes, speed oversight, and ensure every dollar Congress appropriates is spent as intended.

What the People Say: 68% of Americans believe that Congressional power of the purse is a constitutional feature that greatly or somewhat strengthens our government. 61% oppose presidents unilaterally withholding or blocking funds that Congress has enacted into law, with only 26% supporting it.

The Problem: Presidents have used vague statutes to impose tariffs unilaterally, disrupting industries and raising costs for families without Congress’s approval.

The Solution: Require congressional approval for major tariffs or trade actions that last beyond a short emergency period. Presidents could still act quickly in a crisis, but only Congress should have the authority to extend or expand trade restrictions that affect jobs and the economy long-term.

What the People Say: 60% are opposed to allowing presidents to impose tariffs without congressional approval, with only 32% supporting it. A majority (55%) of Americans currently disapprove of President Trump’s handling of tariffs.

The Problem: For decades, presidents have taken the nation into military conflicts without congressional approval.

The Solution: Shorten the window for unauthorized military actions and cut off funding for wars not explicitly approved by Congress. This restores the people’s voice in questions of war and peace, ensuring military force is used only when backed by democratic legitimacy.

What the People Say: 66% support requiring congressional notification for military strikes abroad and congressional approval for acts of war, with only 20% opposing such requirements.

The Problem: The president can currently deploy federal troops into American communities with few limits — even against peaceful protest.

The Solution: Amend the Insurrection Act to add strict limits, require transparency, and demand congressional approval for any deployment lasting more than 14 days. Safeguards should ensure that federal troops cannot be weaponized against political opponents or peaceful citizens, while still allowing rapid response to genuine emergencies.

What the People Say: 53% support limiting the ability of presidents to deploy troops domestically, with only 35% opposing it. An overwhelming majority (80%) of voters oppose letting the President order the military to use force against peaceful protestors.

The Problem: Presidents can declare “national emergencies” that never end, holding extraordinary powers indefinitely.

The Solution: Require Congress to approve any emergency declaration within 30 days and reauthorize it regularly. This prevents presidents from ruling by “permanent emergency” and guarantees accountability and oversight in how emergency powers are used.

What the People Say: 54% support allowing Congress to choose to end or continue presidential emergency powers after 30 days, with only 23% opposing it.

The Problem: Some presidents have tried to dictate how elections are run, but the Constitution gives that power to states and Congress, not the executive branch.

The Solution: Reaffirm that only Congress and state legislatures set federal election rules, and nullify any unilateral executive orders attempting to change them. Protecting elections from executive overreach ensures that voters, not presidents, decide the rules of our democracy.

What the People Say: A majority (51%) oppose presidents changing how states run elections by executive order, with only 35% supporting it.