Lots occurred this week. “Melissa got here ashore like no different hurricane.” “Ordering the Pentagon to renew nuclear testing.” “Indiana is diving into the nationwide gerrymandering struggle.” “Restructured right into a for-profit firm.” Right here’s one factor you shouldn’t miss. On Tuesday, the Senate voted to dam the tariffs that President Trump had imposed on Brazil, which had been contributing to larger costs on espresso, beef and bananas. So the president doesn’t actually have the facility to declare tariffs. Trump made it occur by declaring a nationwide emergency over the summer time. “What do you consider whenever you consider an emergency? You consider a warfare, a twister, a famine. You don’t consider commerce coverage.” However what’s outstanding right here is the Senate vote, which was 52 to 48. Meaning 5 Republicans joined the Democrats to dam Trump’s tariffs, which makes you surprise: If these Republicans can stand as much as Trump’s tariffs, why aren’t they displaying spine on stopping tens of millions of People from going hungry? “SNAP advantages for tens of millions of People is about to be suspended.” Stopping well being care prices from spiking for 20 million People. “May see the worth they pay improve by a median of 75 p.c.” Stopping the navy from unilaterally blowing up boats and killing individuals when Congress hasn’t declared warfare. “That is the sixth boat the U.S. navy has struck in worldwide waters, killing a minimum of 29 individuals.” Utilizing their energy of oversight to stop abuse by federal companies. “Federal brokers descending on a Halloween parade in Chicago.” The reply can solely be that congressional Republicans are OK with such issues, as a result of they’ve the facility to cease them they usually simply aren’t doing it. Keep in mind, the founders gave Congress a number of the most essential powers of presidency, together with the facility of the purse, the facility of warfare and the facility to manage overseas commerce. They needed Congress to be probably the most dominant department. At this time, it’s the weakest. Nevertheless it’s their alternative. And the truth that the Senate discovered sufficient of a backbone to dam Trump’s tariffs solely exhibits how little they’ve accomplished over the past 9 months. It’s true that what we’re seeing from the manager department could be stunning, however what we’re not seeing from Congress needs to be simply as terrifying.