U.S. lawmakers seek to limit presidential powers amid border policy debates

Democratic lawmakers in the United States are advancing several proposals aimed at limiting presidential authority and strengthening executive branch oversight. These initiatives seek to prevent changes introduced by President Donald Trump from becoming permanent precedents. Key proposals include prohibiting the president from imposing tariffs via national emergencies without Congressional approval, preventing the acceptance of payments from other states without legislative authorization, and requiring public reviews of White House renewals.

Additional measures under consideration involve new ethics rules, such as requiring officials with assets exceeding $1 million to use blind trusts, prohibiting the acceptance of gifts from foreign governments, and banning officials from targeting individuals or organizations based on political expression. Congressman Jamie Raskin described the effort as an “enormous reconstruction task” that requires reviewing government functions department by department.

Separately, President Trump has campaigned on a promise to enact the “No Invasion of Our Country Act,” a border law intended to prevent future presidents from reopening borders to illegal immigration. However, as of early October 2026, the act lacks official text, a bill number, or registered sponsors in Congress. While Trump has also prioritized the “SAVE America Act,” which focuses on documentary proof of citizenship for voter registration, the specific legislative framework for his proposed border restrictions has not yet been formally presented to Congress.