Dems Failing to Trump-Proof the Presidency

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Here’s what we’re talking about:

With Phil Rosen.

1. THE PRESIDENCY: Democrats fear the presidency has grown too powerful. Party leaders like Rep. Adam Schiff of California crafted an array of proposals designed to give lawmakers more tools to thwart any president who tries to mimic Donald Trump’s pursuit of sweeping executive power. But nine months into the Biden administration, and with Democrats in control of both chambers of Congress, none of the legislation introduced to prevent a Trump 2.0 — perhaps literally, should Trump run again — has been enacted. It doesn’t appear likely to pass anytime soon either.

Here’s a look at where things stand:

Democrats’ attention is focused elsewhere: “For the moment, the Biden administration and congressional leadership appear more focused on domestic-policy spending, and even supporters of the anti-Trump measures acknowledge that they’d be tough to pass through a Senate with a slim Democratic majority,” my colleague writes.

Legal experts worry about the legacy of Trump’s actions: “There is a road map for any president to abuse any of these powers in the same way or potentially worse ways,” said Elizabeth Hempowicz, the director of public policy at the Project on Government Oversight.

• This clash is nothing new: Congress and the White House have long butted heads over issues of oversight and even presidential power. Legal fights continue to be waged over the subject. For instance, a Texas federal judge ruled over the summer that President Barack Obama overstepped his authority in creating the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals immigration program.

Read more about why experts think Trump would be even more brazen if he returns to power.

2. Senate Republicans block a bill meant to avoid a debt default: Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell led all of his fellow GOP lawmakers to block a measure that…