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Assembly proclaims Law Day amid heated floor debate over executive power and precedent
Summary
The Assembly adopted SCR 66 declaring May 1, 2025, as Law Day; floor debate included partisan exchanges about executive actions, separation of powers, and criticism of both federal and state executives.
Assemblymember Joaquin Pacheco presented Senate Concurrent Resolution 66, proclaiming May 1, 2025, as Law Day and emphasizing the importance of the rule of law; the Assembly adopted the resolution following a lengthy and at times contentious debate on June 4, 2025.
Pacheco said the resolution commemorates the rule of law and the role of judges and attorneys in upholding legal norms. The floor debate that followed included sharply divergent perspectives: Assemblymember DeMaio criticized the Assembly's moral authority to lecture federal officials while arguing that this Legislature has passed statutes overturned by courts and has at times infringed constitutional rights. Assemblymember Berman responded by listing examples of alleged attacks on courts and the rule of law by the Trump administration and called for support of the resolution.
Other members—including Patterson, Gallagher and Calroy—used the occasion to highlight perceived executive overreach at the state and federal levels, with Gallagher and others urging consistent application of separation‑of‑powers principles regardless of party. Several speakers framed the resolution as an affirmation of judicial independence and the role of lawyers in countering abuses.
The clerk recorded 51 coauthors during the coauthoring period. The Assembly then took a voice vote on the resolution; the chair announced the ayes prevailed and the resolution was adopted. The measure is a commemorative statement and does not change law or impose new requirements.
