In January, Representative John Shadegg of Arizona, along with fifteen Co-Sponsors introduced into the House of Representatives, HR 450 IH, a bill to require Congress to specify the source of authority under the Constitution of the United States for any law which they enacted. Seems simple enough, doesn't it? But (if you had Ms Hillyer for American history, you know) bills in Congress are written in a very precise verbiage that can, and often does, sound confusing.
So, if I may translate for a moment without changing one jot or tittle (and yes, I know what those are) of this bill. What it says is that if passed, this bill would require that anyone presenting a bill to be enacted as a law before either House would be required to show exactly where in the Constitution of the United States, the authority to make such a law exists. No authority for such in the Constitution? No law. Simple.
Who knows? With this law (the enumerated powers act) enacted, a Representative would truly have to honor his oath to "support and defend the Constitution of the United States," rather than merely give lip service to it.
And there might be several laws out there right now that would have to be repealed for being in direct conflict with the Constitution. This bill is neither pro-Republican nor Pro-Democrat; it is Pro-Constitution and that makes it Pro-American.
Passage of this bill would make each lawmaker in Washington D.C. accountable to the Constitution. Sadly, the bill has been in committee for three and one-half months. Why is it not out? Why is it being passed over? Do we have that many in Congress afraid that their own private little programs might be in conflict with the Constitution? Do they fear a bill which would require our laws remain true to the Constitution?
What is wrong with this picture?
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