To the editor:

For anyone not yet familiar, inserted into the 2025 tax bill passed by the House was a provision throwing roadblocks into the courts’ ability to issue contempt orders for executive branch for noncompliance to judicial orders; if enforced, the provision would be retroactive, affecting previous court rulings on presidential deviations from the Constitution. Our Constitution sets up a separation of powers, providing checks and balances between the legislative, judicial and executive branches. The legislative branch has already given up much of its authority to the president. The courts have been more steadfast in attempting to hold the Trump administration to the rule of law, which was why the provision was inserted, in hopes of limiting the power of the judiciary. If this is still included in the final version of the tax bill, it will be the official point at which our democracy dissolves. Please contact your senators. Their vote on the tax bill will be coming soon and they need to know people are watching and are concerned.

This overreach of the current administration is why people are still gathering at Ninth and Mass. every Sunday from noon till 1 p.m., and why on June 14, people will be going to state capitols across the country for a “No Kings Day” rally. Topeka’s will be from 3 to 5 p.m.

Steve Stemmerman,

Lawrence