October 21, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 166 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Pages H8264-H8265]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     EMOLUMENTS CLAUSE IS NOT PHONY

  (Mr. COHEN asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. COHEN. Madam Speaker, today, President Trump held a press 
conference and referred to the Emoluments Clause in the Constitution as 
the ``phony Emoluments Clause.''
  I take an oath to support the Constitution, as does he, as do all 435 
of us. I am also the chairman of the Constitution, Civil Rights and 
Civil Liberties Subcommittee of the Judiciary Committee.
  I take umbrage at his remarks. The Emoluments Clause was first put in 
the Articles of Confederation, and before that, 100 years earlier, the 
Dutch put it in their documents to protect from foreign influence.
  It was said at the Constitutional Convention that a violation of the 
Emoluments Clause could result in impeachment.
  No wonder President Trump thinks it is phony.
  There is nothing phony about the Emoluments Clause, the impeachment 
clause, Article I, Congress' powers, or separation of the three 
branches of government.
  Madam Speaker, I respect the Constitution, and I wish the President 
would as well.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Members are reminded to refrain from 
engaging in personalities toward the President.

[[Page H8265]]

  

                          ____________________