Congress and Presidential Powers

Rep. Jamie Raskin on Thursday reintroduced legislation that would set up a congressionally appointed process to determine whether President Trump is mentally or physically unable to discharge the powers of the presidency under the 25th Amendment. The 10-page bill, backed by roughly 50 House Democrats, would create a 17-member commission instructed to conduct a medical examination of the president; the panel would be composed of 16 doctors — four physicians and four psychiatrists selected by Democratic and Republican leaders of each chamber — who would then choose a chair to complete the panel. Sponsors say the measure is aimed at providing a formal, medicalized pathway to assess incapacity amid what they describe as conduct and rhetoric that pose national-security risks.