Emergency,
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Enumerated Powers Act
Have you heard of H.R.
175, the Enumerated Powers Act? This bill, introduced in the House of
Representatives by John Shadegg (R -AZ), would do just one simple thing...
require each Act of Congress to contain a concise and definite statement of the
constitutional authority relied upon for the enactment of each portion of that
Act, and declare that failure to comply with this requirement shall give rise to
a point of order in either House of Congress, with said point of order not
affecting any other available relief. In other words, it would require that
every new law cite exactly what part of the Constitution authorizes it. You
would think that everyone would support something so basic, yet this bill
has died at least three times previously, with fewer co-sponsors each time.
Is Congress afraid that they won't be able to find any Constitutional
authority for some of their laws? If you agree with Rep. Shadegg's statement,
then I urge you to support this bill by:
- asking your
state representative to support H.R. 175, and if they won't, ask them to explain
why they won't be a co-sponsor . Tell them you want action,
not lip-service! (See the list of current
co-sponsors.)
- contacting
the members of the Constitution Subcommittee and Judiciary Committee to express
support and request action
- urging your friends and family members to do the same.
"This measure will force a re-examination of the role of the national government and will fundamentally alter the ever growing reach of the federal government. For too long, the federal government has operated without constitutional restraint, only limiting itself by budgetary concerns. In doing so, it has created ineffective and costly programs, massive deficits year after year, and a national debt totaling more than $5 trillion. The Enumerated Powers Act will help slow the flood of unconstitutional legislation while assisting Congress in its re-examination of the proper role of government.
Our Founding Fathers believed the grant of specific rather than legislative powers to the national government would be one of the central mechanisms for protecting our freedoms while allowing us to achieve the objectives best accomplished through a national government. One of the most important things Congress can do is to honor and abide by the principles embodied in the Constitution – no more, no less. Respecting the Tenth Amendment is the first way to ensure that the genius of the Constitution and its division of power between the national government, the states, and the people continues to guide our nation."
—Rep. John Shadegg
January 2001
Reasons Why They Don't
Have the Guts to Support
the Constitution
(email us with their excuses,
we'll list them here*)
- "I support this concept which requires any newly-proposed legislation to
include a short statement spelling out where the U.S. Constitution provides jurisdiction to the federal government to legislate in that area. In this
manner, Congress can restore the meaning of the 10th Amendment: "The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it
to the States, are reserved to the States respectively or to the people."
H.R. 175 has been referred to the House Subcommittee on the Constitution.
Let me assure you that I will keep your support for this bill in mind."
Rep. Jerry Moran, (R - KS), 06-11-01
- "The substance of HR 175 is already contained in the rules of the House.
Unfortunately, however, these rules are often waived. I would certainly support HR 175, but I fear its passage would to little to change the current
situation."
Rep. John Cooksey, (R - LA), 06-12-01
*Please send
only quotes, including the date! We would like to capture these
legislators thoughts word-for-word, not summarized, paraphrased or taken out of
context. If given enough rope, they will surely hang themselves without any
help!
Current
Co-Sponsors of H.R. 175
(please thank them)
Barr, Bob (R - GA)
Bartlett, Roscoe G. (R - MD)
Bereuter, Doug (R - NE)
Blunt, Roy (R - MO)
Brady, Kevin (R - TX)
Crane, Philip M. (R -IL)
Culberson, John Abney (R - TX)
Deal, Nathan (R - GA)
Doolittle, John T. (R - CA)
Duncan, John J. Jr. (R - TN)
Flake, Jeff (R - AZ)
Goode, Virgil H. Jr. (Independent - VA)
Hayworth, J. D. ( R - AZ)
Hefley, Joel (R - CO)
Hoekstra, Peter (R - MI)
Hostettler, John N. (R - IN)
Hutchinson, Asa (R - AZ)
Johnson, Sam (R - TX)
Largent, Steve (R - OK)
Manzullo, Donald A. (R - IL)
Nethercutt, George R. Jr. (R - WA)
Otter, C. L. "Butch" (R - ID)
Paul, Ron (R - TX)
Radanovich, George P. (R - CA)
Schaffer, Bob (R - CO)
Sessions, Pete (R - TX)
Skeen, Joe (R - NM)
Smith, Lamar (R -TX)
Souder, Mark E. (R - IN)
Stearns, Cliff (R - FL)
Stump, Bob (R - AZ)
Tancredo, Thomas G. (R - CO)
Tiahrt, Todd (R - KS)
Toomey, Patrick J. (R - PA)
Weldon, Dave (R - FL)
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