BAILOUTS: Not OK per Constitution

Article 1, Section 9 of the U.S. Constitution states: “No money shall be withdrawn from the treasury, but in consequence of appropriations made by law.” By law means that taxpayer funds deposited in the U.S. Treasury cannot be used without first being appropriated by the House of Representatives to satisfy specific budgeted requirements. Since the Congress has failed for more than three years to produce a budget, no specific requirement exists for the use of appropriated funds.

Therefore, withdrawal of taxpayer funds from the Treasury for purposes of “bailouts” and “lobbying” for Green Energy without reference to appropriations is illegal and in essence, amounts to a “personal piggy bank account” for members of the executive branch of government.

Question: Does illegal use of taxpayer funds by the president constitute an impeachable offense?

ALMON P. OLIVER

Coeur d’Alene