A government shutdown is likely this week.  

 

Trump and his administration want a KING. 

They want an executive branch that is stronger than Congress.  

 

HERE'S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW AND WHAT YOU CAN DO:​

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During a government shutdown, Congress must defend its constitutional “power of the purse.” The Supreme Court has increasingly stepped into budget disputes, sometimes siding with presidential overreach.  For instance, challenges to emergency spending (if the president tries to reallocate funds without Congress). Spending decisions belong to Congress, not the courts or the president.

 

Article III of the Constitution gives Congress a tool to push back: the Exceptions Clause. By invoking it, Congress can limit the kinds of shutdown-related cases the Supreme Court can hear, keeping control of spending decisions in the hands of the branch the Constitution entrusted with them — the people’s elected representatives. It also keeps disputes in lower courts or channel them into specific venues, limiting the Court’s ability to side with executive overreach.

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Example: Congress could pass a law saying “The Supreme Court shall not have appellate jurisdiction in cases challenging congressional appropriations or spending authority.”

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The Democrats can call for the Exceptions Clause to be invoked.

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So get on the phone and call your Member of Congress and

ask them to invoke the Exceptions Clause.   

 

Here are scripts you can use:

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Phone Script (Shutdown + Exceptions Clause)

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“Hi, this is [Your Name] from [City]. I’m really worried about the government shutting down. Congress has the constitutional power of the purse, but the Supreme Court has been chipping away at that authority. 

 

I urge [Representative/Senator] to consider using the Exceptions Clause in Article III to limit the Court’s role in cases that weaken Congress’s appropriations powers. 

During a shutdown, it’s more important than ever that Congress — not the Court — controls how taxpayer money is spent. Please protect Congress’s authority over the budget.  Thank you.”

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Shorter Version (for voicemails or quick calls)

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“I’m [Your Name] from [City]. With a shutdown looming, I want [Representative/Senator] to protect Congress’s constitutional power over the budget. The Supreme Court is undermining that power. Please consider using the Exceptions Clause in Article III to limit the Court’s reach on spending cases. Congress must keep control of appropriations.”

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Email / Written Version

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Subject: Protect Congress’s Power of the Purse During Shutdown Threat

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Dear [Representative/Senator Last Name],

As we face the possibility of another government shutdown, I urge you to defend Congress’s constitutional power of the purse. Recent Supreme Court decisions are eroding Congress’s authority over appropriations.

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Article III’s Exceptions Clause gives Congress the ability to limit the Court’s jurisdiction in cases that interfere with appropriations. Now, when shutdown threats put vital services and workers at risk, it is essential that Congress — not the Court — maintains full control over spending decisions.

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Please act to safeguard Congress’s appropriations power. Thank you for your leadership.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[City, State]

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Here are a few one-sentence versions you (and others) can drop into social media posts, group texts, or even comments:

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• “With a shutdown looming, Congress must protect its power of the purse — use the Exceptions Clause to stop the Supreme Court from undermining appropriations.”
   

• “The Constitution gives Congress control of spending, not the Supreme Court — invoke the Exceptions Clause now to defend against a shutdown power grab.”
   

• “Article III’s Exceptions Clause lets Congress limit the Supreme Court; with a shutdown threat, it’s time to use it to protect Congress’s budget authority.”
   

• “Don’t let the Court weaken Congress’s spending power during a shutdown — use the Exceptions Clause to keep control where the Constitution puts it.”