“The Constitution is the guide which I never will abandon.” – George Washington

Just days ago, we honored the 230^th anniversary of the completion of the U.S. Constitution – the framework for the greatest nation in world history. On Constitution Day, we celebrate both the establishment of our democracy as well as the rights we as citizens of the United States are guaranteed.

As we mark Constitution Day and reflect on the rights and freedoms enshrined in this document, it is important to remember that our government, as Abraham Lincoln once said, “is of the people, by the people, and for the people.” There is a clear reason why the words “We the People” are written larger than any others on the United States Constitution.

In order to prevent government overreach, the Founding Fathers divided the governing body into distinct branches; each with its own equal, but separate, powers. And the supreme law of the land is clear: Congress, and only Congress, is vested with the power to write laws. Over the last several years, governing in Washington has largely been through executive actions that often do not have legal standing. However, President Trump has taken swift action in his first year of office to pull back the overreach and bureaucratic growth of the previous administration, recognizing our founders’ intentions for the powers and limitations of each branch of government. The president and his administration have requested each agency conduct a comprehensive review of their organizational structure, and eliminate any duplicative and unnecessary positions. He has also halted the implementation of many of the previous administrations regulations that lacked congressional consent, and signed into law multiple Congressional Review Act measures to rescind these regulations.

A constitutional government takes its orders from the people. That is exactly what I will continue to do – listen to those I been given the opportunity to serve and ensure your government is upholding the document that has shaped our history. For more than 200 years, our Constitution has been a beacon of democratic ideals, and we must remain vigilant in protecting the rights and freedoms guaranteed by this revered document.