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Petition to Limit the President of the United States to 80 Executive Orders Per Term

 

To: The United States Congress

Subject: Proposal to Establish a Limit on Executive Orders Issued by the President

We, the undersigned, concerned citizens of the United States, respectfully petition the United States Congress to enact legislation limiting the President to issuing no more than 80 Executive Orders per four-year term.

 

Historical Context and Justification:

Since the founding of our nation, Executive Orders (EOs) have been used by Presidents to manage the operations of the federal government and address pressing national issues. While Executive Orders can be an effective tool for governing, history has shown that their overuse can lead to an imbalance of power and circumvent the democratic process.

Historical Overuse and Concerns: 

- Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR): FDR holds the record for the most Executive Orders, issuing 3,721 orders during his 12 years in office. While many of these orders were issued during the Great Depression and World War II, his extensive use of EOs established a precedent that allowed future Presidents to bypass Congress on major policy decisions.  

- Harry S. Truman: In 1952, Truman famously issued Executive Order 10340, attempting to seize control of the steel industry during the Korean War. The Supreme Court, in Youngstown Sheet & Tube Co. v. Sawyer, struck down this order, emphasizing that the President does not have unlimited authority to act without Congressional approval.  

- Barack Obama: President Obama used Executive Orders and executive actions to advance policy goals, including immigration reform (DACA) and climate policy. His reliance on Executive Orders in the face of Congressional gridlock fueled criticism that he was bypassing the legislative process.  

- Donald J. Trump: President Trump also used Executive Orders aggressively to reverse many of his predecessor’s policies, particularly in areas of immigration, healthcare, and environmental regulations. His use of EOs highlighted the fragility of policy implemented through executive action, as they were easily reversed by his successor.  

- Joe Biden: President Biden continued this trend, signing more than 40 Executive Orders in his first 10 days in office—more than any of his predecessors—undoing policies from the previous administration and setting new policy directions without Congressional involvement.

 

The Problem:

- The increasing use of Executive Orders by Presidents from both parties has created a pattern of governing by executive fiat, weakening the role of Congress and undermining the system of checks and balances.  

- Policies implemented via Executive Orders often lack lasting stability, as they can be quickly reversed by incoming administrations, creating a cycle of policy whiplash and uncertainty.  

- Without limits, future Presidents may continue to use EOs as a substitute for bipartisan legislative compromise, further eroding public trust in the democratic process.

 

Proposed Solution:

We urge Congress to introduce and pass legislation that:  

1. Limits the President to 80 Executive Orders per term to prevent excessive reliance on executive power.  

2. Requires Congressional Review of any Executive Order with significant economic, social, or legal implications, ensuring that major policy changes are subject to legislative oversight.  

3. Establishes Emergency Exceptions for national crises, with mandatory Congressional oversight and review after the emergency has passed.

 

Rationale:

- Preserving the Separation of Powers: A cap on Executive Orders reinforces the constitutional balance between the executive and legislative branches.  

- Promoting Bipartisanship: Limiting EOs encourages Presidents to work with Congress to achieve lasting policy solutions through legislation.  

-Ensuring Policy Stability:

Reducing the overuse of Executive Orders will prevent abrupt reversals in policy with each new administration, fostering consistency and predictability in government

Call to Action

We, the undersigned, urge Congress to take immediate action to safeguard the integrity of our democratic institutions by limiting the President’s ability to issue an excessive number of Executive Orders. By restoring balance and encouraging legislative compromise, we can protect the foundational principles of our nation and ensure that the voices of the American people are reflected in national policy.