Let's have a constitutional showdown! - By Henry Lamb

Arizona Representative John Shadegg has introduced the "Enumerated Powers Act" (H.R. 450), which requires that: "Each Act of Congress shall contain a concise and definite statement of the constitutional authority relied upon for the enactment of each portion of that Act." Every congressman should support this bill! And if not.... then we'll know.

By Henry Lamb Every Congressman swears an oath to "… preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States." To a casual observer, these words could be interpreted to mean that laws enacted by Congress should be consistent with the requirements of the Constitution. To the majority of Congress, these words mean something else, or have no meaning at all, because much of the legislation produced in Washington has no relationship at all with the Constitution. If we are a nation founded upon the U.S. Constitution, then our laws should be constrained by the Constitution. If we no longer wish to be constrained by our Constitution, we should abandon it and fly by the seat of our congressional pants. Let's have a constitutional showdown. Arizona Representative John Shadegg has introduced the "Enumerated Powers Act" (H.R. 450), which requires that:

"Each Act of Congress shall contain a concise and definite statement of the constitutional authority relied upon for the enactment of each portion of that Act."

What a great idea! Every congressman who has sworn to "… preserve, protect and defend the Constitution" should eagerly endorse this concept – or be exposed as a blatant hypocrite. [Continue reading]

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