When Congress weakens, its decisions reverberate far beyond Washington, with Scottish exporters and communities among those paying the price, warns Ian Houston.

Several years ago, I sat with two of my teenage children in the stately office of the U.S. Senate President pro tempore, third in the presidential line of succession following the Vice President and the Speaker of the House.

The Senator at the time, Daniel Inouye, had fought bravely in the Second World War in Italy and France alongside my uncle. A fire crackled in the hearth as he spoke of his experiences and the solemn duties he carried. He had received many honours and decorations earned through sacrifice, including the loss of his arm. I admired him deeply.

Listening to him speak in those warm surroundings, with my sons beside me, I was reminded of the significance of the Congress he served. My Glaswegian and Leamington family could never have imagined such a moment would one day be ours as an immigrant family.

As a person who once worked in the U.S. Congress, I have long admired and revered the bodies of the Senate and House of Representatives, from their histories, to the architecture of the Capitol itself, and to the purpose behind why they exist and were created.

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Americans, and frankly the world, should be concerned that Congress or Legislative Branch has lost stature as an institution designed to check and balance the powers of the Executive Branch. This erosion has been driven by short-term political calculations, often at the expense of Congress’s role as an essential and coequal branch of government. It is critical that Congress, across party lines, finds a path that ensures that the authorities granted and enumerated in the Constitution to it are respected and upheld. It must find its posture again and reassert itself.

A strong and active Senate or House of Representatives matters not only in principle but in its tangible impact on communities at home and abroad. Tariffs on exports from the U.K., including Scotland, to the United States have had real and significant effects on Scottish businesses, farmers, and local communities. These measures have strained long-standing economic relationships and threatened shared prosperity, creating uncertainty for producers who rely on stable access to American markets.

Congress has the authority and the responsibility to scrutinize such policies, hold hearings, and ensure that trade decisions consider broader economic implications. In doing so, Congress protects not only American interests but also the communities of close allies and partners like Scotland. Strong oversight ensures that economic tools like tariffs are used responsibly, rather than causing unnecessary hardship abroad and undermining international trust.

And that is but one example. The legislative branch’s vigilance in overseeing trade, budget, appropriations, and policy decisions is critical, but it is only part of the constitutional balance. The Supreme Court, too, has an essential role in interpreting the law, checking overreach, and ensuring that the authorities granted to the Executive and Legislative branches are exercised within the bounds of the Constitution. Together, a strong Congress which is not burdened by overzealous partisanship, and an independent apolitical judiciary provide the checks and balances that protect not only domestic communities but also the credibility and reliability of the United States in the eyes of allies in the broader international community.

When either branch weakens or steps back, the consequences are tangible: economic uncertainty and erosion of trust. Conversely, when Congress asserts itself and the courts provide principled oversight, Americans and international partners alike can have greater confidence that decisions, from tariffs to treaties to national security matters, are made with wider deliberation, accountability, and foresight.

Reflecting in that Senate office with my children beside me, I was reminded that strength in public life begins with character, courage, and commitment. Senator Inouye, a Medal of Honor recipient and long-serving member of the U.S. Senate, embodied those qualities. From the battlefields of World War II to the halls of the Senate, he worked tirelessly for the nation and its people.

As the United States values its alliances and global linkages, including with Scotland, and seeks to ensure good governance domestically that serves all the people, Congress must restore its standing. That is a charge and goal for any elected Representative or Senator, regardless of party. I believe it is an issue worth running on in the 2026 November elections.

Ian Houston is a regular writer for the Herald. He has spent his career as an advocate for diplomacy, trade, poverty alleviation, and intercultural dialogue. He promotes commercial, educational, artistic, and charitable linkages between Scotland, UK, and the US. He is an Honorary Professor and Lecturer at the University of the West of Scotland and University of Aberdeen. He is located in the Washington, DC area. His views are his own.

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