Trump is chiseling away at the power of a compliant Congress | AP News
House Speaker Mike Johnson of La., hands President Donald Trump a gavel after he signed his signature bill of tax breaks and spending cuts at the White House, Friday, July 4, 2025, in Washington, surrounded by members of Congress. (AP Photo / Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
By LISA MASCARO Updated 5:44 AM PDT, July 19, 2025
WASHINGTON (AP) — “Mr. President, this is the gavel used to enact the ‘big, beautiful bill,’” House Speaker Mike Johnson said at a White House signing ceremony on the Fourth of July.
“I want you to have it,” he said.
Handing over the gavel delighted President Donald Trump who, seated behind a desk outdoors, immediately tested it out with a few quick thumps.
The moment left a memorable mark on a historic day. The gesture reflected a traditional nod of honor, from one leader to another, a milestone of the Republican Party’s priority legislation becoming law. But the imagery also underscored a symbolic transfer of political power, from Capitol Hill to the White House as a compliant Congress is ceding more and more of its prerogative to the presidency.
Congress gives Trump what he wants
Since Trump’s return to the White House in January, and particularly in the past few weeks, Republicans in control of the House and Senate have shown an unusual willingness to give the president of their party what he wants, regardless of the potential risk to themselves, their constituents and Congress itself.
Republicans raced to put the big package of tax breaks and spending cuts on Trump’s desk by his Independence Day deadline. Senators had quickly confirmed almost all of Trump’s outsider Cabinet nominees despite grave reservations over Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as health secretary, Pete Hegseth as the Pentagon chief and others. House Republicans pursued Trump’s interest in investigating his perceived foes, including investigating Democratic President Joe Biden’suse of the autopen.
Editor’s Note: Read the rest of the story, at the below link.
Continue/Read Original Article Here: Trump is chiseling away at the power of a compliant Congress | AP News
#2025 #America #AP #APNews #AssociatedPress #Congress #DonaldTrump #Health #History #Libraries #LibraryOfCongress #Politics #Resistance #Science #Trump #TrumpAdministration #TrumpStealsPower #USCongress #UnitedStates