Bipartisan Task Force for Responsible Fiscal Action

Columnist George Will discusses the proposal to set up a fiscal task force. It would make proposals for reducing the deficit, which Congress could accept or reject in whole, but not amend. His objection touches on topics we discuss throughout the book: the separation of powers and the importance of oaths:

Regarding procedure, consider a sentence in a Fiscal Times story in The Post on the task force idea, a sentence that seems bland only because of this city's advanced state of constitutional decadence: "The White House has been talking to Congress to try to craft a proposal that would not wholly relinquish congressional control over major decisions on taxes and spending."

Wholly? The oath of office for representatives and senators does not commit them to partially or occasionally or when convenient "support and defend," and bear " true faith and allegiance" to, the Constitution and "faithfully discharge the duties" of their offices.