Floor SpeechUrgent2026-04-14

SPEAKER JOHNSON IN CAHOOTS WITH WHITE HOUSE

Context

On 2026-04-14, Representative Marcy Kaptur (D-OH-9) delivered a floor speech titled "SPEAKER JOHNSON IN CAHOOTS WITH WHITE HOUSE" in the House.

Full Text

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 65 (Tuesday, April 14, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 65 (Tuesday, April 14, 2026)] [House] [Pages H2876-H2877] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] SPEAKER JOHNSON IN CAHOOTS WITH WHITE HOUSE (Ms. KAPTUR asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.) Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I rise to object as our House returns after an unconstitutional, 2-week, forced recess. Rather than exercise his constitutional Article I duties, Speaker Johnson fell in step with warmongering hotheads in the executive branch. He failed to honor his constitutional oath and uphold the U.S. Constitution and Congress' defined powers in Article I. He gaveled the House out at a most profound moment in world and American history. The U.S. Constitution is clear. Article I, Section 8 says that Congress shall have the power to declare war. It does not say may have power. It says: ``The Congress shall have power.'' Speaker Johnson ignored this provision. Speaker Johnson also has allowed the executive branch to draw down billions upon billions of taxpayer dollars without consent of Congress. Article I, Section 9, Clause 7 states: ``No money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in consequence of appropriations made by law.'' Without a vote by Congress to authorize the war and appropriations spent, the Speaker is in violation of the Constitution to which he swore an oath. Mr. Speaker, what the American people are witnessing is unconstitutional and unprecedented in the history of our Nation. I object. [[Page H2877]] ____________________

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SPEAKER JOHNSON IN CAHOOTS WITH WHITE HOUSE Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 65 (Tuesday, April 14, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 65 (Tuesday, April 14, 2026)] [House] [Pages H2876-H2877] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] SPEAKER JOHNSON IN CAHOOTS WITH WHITE HOUSE (Ms. KAPTUR asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.) Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, I rise to object as our House returns after an unconstitutional, 2-week, forced recess. Rather than exercise his constitutional Article I duties, Speaker Johnson fell in step with warmongering hotheads in the executive branch. He failed to honor his constitutional oath and uphold the U.S. Constitution and Congress' defined powers in Article I. He gaveled the House out at a most profound moment in world and American history. The U.S. Constitution is clear. Article I, Section 8 says that Congress shall have the power to declare war. It does not say may have power. It says: ``The Congress shall have power.'' Speaker Johnson ignored this provision. Speaker Johnson also has allowed the executive branch to draw down billions upon billions of taxpayer dollars without consent of Congress. Article I, Section 9, Clause 7 states: ``No money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in consequence of appropriations made by law.'' Without a vote by Congress to authorize the war and appropriations spent, the Speaker is in violation of the Constitution to which he swore an oath. Mr. Speaker, what the American people are witnessing is unconstitutional and unprecedented in the history of our Nation. I object. [[Page H2877]] ____________________