Melek Ortabasi

Today’s vote is grounded first and foremost in the Constitution. Article I gives Congress the authority to regulate commerce with foreign nations and to levy tariffs. Over time, Congress has delegated limited authority to the Executive Branch, particularly in matters involving national emergencies. But those delegations were never intended to serve as a permanent vehicle for sweeping, long-term trade policy. If we normalize broad emergency trade powers today, we should expect that a future president—of either party—will rely on the same authority in ways many of us would strongly oppose. Institutional consistency matters. The Constitution does not shift depending on who occupies the White House. My responsibility is to defend the separation of powers regardless of political convenience. I also represent Western and Southern Colorado, and my constituents are directly affected by these policies. Agricultural producers in my district already operate on tight margins in volatile global markets. Retaliatory tariffs add pressure to their exports and supply chains. At the same time, the largest steel rail mill in the United States, also in my district, depends on stable market conditions and predictable costs. When trade policy becomes unpredictable, it affects payrolls, investment decisions, and long-term planning. I support the goal of strengthening American industry. Where I differ is on the method. My obligation is to defend both my district and the constitutional framework that protects us over the long term. This is not a partisan calculation; it is an economic and institutional one. Strong trade policy requires durability, transparency, and Congressional accountability. That is how we protect American industry while preserving the separation of powers that safeguards our republic.

ICE needs real reform now. That means real training (not 47 days), actually going after people with convictions, no more “show me your papers,” practicing de-escalation, and agents clearly identifying themselves. This isn’t radical—it’s basic accountability.