American citizens must wonder if Congress will introduce bills to nullify harmful and unconstitutional executive orders.

A Seattle Times article, “GOP debates how to stop Obama on immigration” (Nov. 15) hints at that possibility. But the article notes that Obama would likely veto any bill — especially if it were a spending bill. Yet Congress does not have to give up at the point of a veto! The new GOP-controlled 113th Congress should override the presidential veto. Furthermore, Congress can certainly pass bills that don’t use the “power of the purse” and thus avoid any blowback from a government shutdown. The override tactic can also be used with issues other than immigration:

• Major military matters — determine troop levels, training, equipment and deployment; rules of engagement; weapons research and development, procurement and deployment; foreign military aid; agreements over command and control of allies and their assets.

• Global health — for example, Ebola response coordination.

Congress must use its legitimate powers to stop the current president from continuing to ignore and countermand the recommendations of his top advisers, greatly overstepping his power!

Larry G. Happ, Redmond