Last year, President Obama made a series of unprecedented recess appointments during a time when the Senate was in regular proceedings. This extraordinary power-grab required the president to alter the definition of recess. Not only did it violate hundreds of years of Senate precedent, but it violated the law. Despite this fact, President Obama went ahead and did it anyway.  

Today, the court ruled that President Obama had indeed overstepped his authority and invalidated three appointments to the National Labor Relations Board that had been made without Senate confirmation. My colleagues and I signed an Amicus Brief submitted in the case that challenged the President’s actions as unconstitutional as the Senate was in pro forma session at the time the appointments were made.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit today said the president could only use his recess appointment authority to fill vacancies that arise when the Senate is in official recess, which only occurs when the Senate is in between sessions.  Clearly then, a pro forma session would not be an official recess.  As Chief Judge David Sentelle wrote in the ruling, if that were the case, “the president could make appointments any time the Senate so much as broke for lunch.”

Our Founding Founders established a series of checks-and-balances to protect our democracy and ensure government accountability. We should not turn our backs on these values. Whether Republican or Democrat, we must watch out for executive actions that legislate outside the Constitution, particularly when they threaten jobs, businesses, or individual rights. 

Section 902 of the fiscal cliff agreement reads: 

SEC. 902. NO COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT IN PAY OF MEMBERS OF CONGRESS.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no adjustment shall be made under section 601(a) of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 (2 U.S.C. 31) (relating to cost of living adjustments for Members of Congress) during fiscal year 2013.

This language was inserted to override President Obama’s directive to raise congressional salaries when he lifted the federal employee pay freeze.  I don’t believe Congress has earned a pay raise, especially in light of the public’s low approval rating of Washington.  I often joke that it is better to be introduced as a former eye doctor and small business owner than as a U.S. Senator.  There’s some truth in that.  The reality is we have a long way to go before we restore the public’s faith in Congress.  That’s why I have voted against an automatic Congressional pay raise every year since I was elected to Congress.   

It’s the same reason that I signed on as a cosponsor of the No Budget, No Pay Act last Congress.  This bill would prohibit members of Congress from being paid if we don’t pass a long-term budget each fiscal year.  It’s been over 1,300 days since a binding federal budget resolution has been passed in the Senate.  While we’re required to adopt a budget resolution, there’s no penalty for failing to do so and that needs to change.  I intend to cosponsor this bill again when it is reintroduced in the new session of Congress.

Washington needs to remember that times are tough across the country.  Our economy isn’t getting better, despite what the administration says, and many working families haven’t seen a raise in years.  President Obama’s focus needs to be on making the lives of constituents better, not on congressional paychecks.  

Arkansas farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses deserve the certainty a Farm Bill provides. Unfortunately, the farm bill expired earlier this year and Congress has failed to find common ground that protects all of our nation’s agriculture producers. In this edition of “From the Mailbag” Senator Boozman discusses the need for a Farm Bill before the end of the year. Click here to watch the segment.

Is there someone in your community that is deserving of a unique honor for their selfless service to others?

Maybe someone you know displayed immense bravery and committed a courageous act that saved the lives of others.  Or, maybe it is someone who has spent their lives serving others to no fanfare.   Here is your opportunity to recognize their selfless contributions.  You can celebrate the heroism that symbolizes the American spirit by nominating an unsung American hero that you know for a Citizen Service Before Self Honors.

Citizen Service Before Self Honors are unique, because they are presented to unsung heroes by our nation’s most honored heroes—our Medal of Honor recipients.  There are fewer than 100 living recipients of our nation’s highest award for valor and that small community unfortunately got smaller yesterday with the passing of our Senate colleague and Medal of Honor recipient, Daniel Inouye.  Every year they select three extraordinary Americans from the nominees to receive the Citizen Service Before Self Honors.

When you have a moment, please take the time to read some of the incredible stories of recent recipients of Citizen Service Before Self Honors.  If you know anyone with a similar inspirational story in your community, there is still time to nominate them for the 2013 honors.  Nominations can be submitted online at www.citizenservicebeforeselfhonors.org until December 28^th.