CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) RESOURCE CENTER Read More
Add To Favorites

Philly congressman intros "Stable Genius" bill on Trump's mental health

Morning Call - 1/10/2018

Jan. 10--Democratic U.S. Rep. Brendan Boyle of Pennsylvania has introduced a bill in response to President Donald Trump's description of his mental fitness.

Boyle, a vocal critic of Trump who represents part of Philadelphia and Montgomery County, filed the Standardizing Testing and Accountability Before Large Elections Giving Electors Necessary Information for Unobstructed Selection Act -- a long title that shortens to the acronym STABLE GENIUS, in reference to Trump's tweet last weekend that he is "really smart" and "a very stable genius."

The tongue-in-cheek legislation requires all presidential candidates to undergo a standardized medical examination and to publicly disclose the results with the Federal Election Commission before the election.

"The President believes he is a 'stable genius.' I do not," Boyle said in a news release. "President Trump's reckless, erratic behavior has exposed a critical flaw in our existing election process. Before voting for the highest office in the land, Americans have a right to know whether an individual has the physical and mental fitness to serve as president of the United States."

Trump's tweet regarding his mental stability came as he has been defending his capabilities in the wake of a new book, "Fire and Fury: Inside the Trump White House" by journalist Michael Wolff, which says aides have questioned his fitness for the office.

Trump will have his first known medical exam since taking office on Friday, though that physical exam is unlikely to focus in depth on the president's mental health, based on exam results released on past presidents.

lolson@mcall.com

202-780-9540

___

(c)2018 The Morning Call (Allentown, Pa.)

Visit The Morning Call (Allentown, Pa.) at www.mcall.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.