Issue One announces new effort to defend America’s checks and balances as former members of Congress call on lawmakers to exercise their constitutional authority

In a new open letter released today, more than 60 bipartisan former members of Congress are calling on the legislative branch to exercise their constitutional authority amid growing concerns that the Trump administration is threatening the system of checks and balances enshrined by our Founders in the U.S. Constitution.

The letter is part of a broader Issue One initiative in support of Article I which will include a full-page ad in tomorrow’s edition of The Wall Street Journal, warning the public about the serious consequences facing all Americans if the executive branch seizes for itself powers that defy accountability. Readers are encouraged to visit www.CheckTheExec.com to join in the fight to defend America’s constitutional order.

“Article I of the Constitution places Congress at the center of our democracy for a profound reason,” the letter states. “The legislative branch was designed to be the primary voice of the people, containing all political viewpoints, not just one. This is why the Constitution grants Congress specific and immutable powers, including the power of the purse — a vital check on executive authority.”

“Congress must not allow their constitutional authority to be usurped.”

The letter, from members of Issue One’s ReFormers Caucus, goes on to urge members to launch comprehensive oversight hearings into the unprecedented access granted to DOGE operatives, subpoena key officials and documents related to DOGE’s hiring practices, financial access, and decision-making authority, publicly reaffirm Congress’ constitutional authority under Article I, and reject any attempt to shift power permanently into unaccountable private hands.

Officials signing onto the letter include former Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel (R-NE), Representatives Barbara Comstock (R-VA), Charlie Dent (R-PA), Harold Ford Jr. (D-TN), Dick Gephardt (D-MO), Denver Riggleman (R-VA), Senators Tom Daschle (D-SD), Russ Feingold (D-WI), Ambassadors Carol Moseley Braun (D-IL), Tim Roemer (D-IN), and more.

“Elon Musk has asked all federal employees to justify their work every week. We should be asking the same of Congress,” said Amb. Roemer, co-chair of the ReFormers Caucus. “What have our elected leaders done in their roles, as mandated by Article I and Section I of the U.S. Constitution, to oversee the actions of Musk to individually and arbitrarily eliminate government employees and agencies? Congress is required to do their job, ask questions, and perform oversight. And that’s precisely what the American people are expecting from their elected representatives.”

“We are calling for accountability,” said Issue One CEO and Founder Nick Penniman. “The Founders were deeply worried about runaway executive power. But that’s what we’re seeing today, with one division inside of the executive branch co-opting the power of the purse and effectively closing down agencies that were formed by Congress. It’s unchecked power, and it’s wildly reckless as a result. Now is the time for Congress, as the First Branch, to defend the system of checks and balances that has served us for nearly 250 years and perform its most basic duties of oversight.”

Read the full letter.

Learn more at www.CheckTheExec.com.