Posted by
Civis on Saturday, December 01, 2007 8:11:00 PM
H.R.1359 - Enumerated Powers Act
To require Congress to specify the source of authority under the United States Constitution for the enactment of laws, and for other purposes.
3/6/2007--Introduced.
“Enumerated Powers Act - Requires 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. Declares that failure to comply with this requirement shall give rise to a more...point of order in either chamber of Congress.”
Now that is a novel idea; create a law that requires Congress to identify what authority they have in proposing a bill by adding a concise statement to their bill. It is too bad that this is even required considering Congressmen take an oath to uphold the Constitution. However, due to the hijacking of the Constitution and an elitist interpretation that it is a living document, HR 1359 is an outstanding solution. It would at least open up each measure for debate on each bill’s constitutionality.
I have written my Senators and Congressman in support of this measure. As my elected representatives, I expect them to act within the bounds of the US Constitution. I have read some of the convoluted bills that come out of Congress and I am sure they can add a couple more sentences. It is time for them to familiarize themselves with Article I Section 8 of the Constitution.
Below are the Sponsor and Co-Sponsors of this bill. I applaud the Democratic Congressman, Timothy Bishop, for signing on:
Sponsor
Rep. John Shadegg [R, AZ-3]
Co-Sponsors
Rep. W. Todd Akin [R, MO-2]
Rep. Roscoe Bartlett [R, MD-6]
Rep. Timothy Bishop [D, NY-1]
Rep. Rob Bishop [R, UT-1]
Rep. John Boozman [R, AR-3]
Rep. Dan Burton [R, IN-5]
Rep. K. Michael Conaway [R, TX-11]
Rep. David Davis [R, TN-1]
Rep. John Duncan [R, TN-2]
Rep. Tom Feeney [R, FL-24]
Rep. Jeff Flake [R, AZ-6]
Rep. Virginia Foxx [R, NC-5]
Rep. Trent Franks [R, AZ-2]
Rep. E. Scott Garrett [R, NJ-5]
Rep. John Gingrey [R, GA-11]
Rep. Louis Gohmert [R, TX-1]
Rep. Robert Goodlatte [R, VA-6]
Rep. Dean Heller [R, NV-2]
Rep. Walter Herger [R, CA-2]
Rep. Doug Lamborn [R, CO-5]
Rep. Kenny Marchant [R, TX-24]
Rep. Thaddeus McCotter [R, MI-11]
Rep. Jeff Miller [R, FL-1]
Rep. Sue Myrick [R, NC-9]
Rep. Ronald Paul [R, TX-14]
Rep. Ted Poe [R, TX-2]
Rep. Clifford Stearns [R, FL-6]
Rep. Timothy Walberg [R, MI-7]
Rep. David Weldon [R, FL-15]
Rep. Lynn Westmoreland [R, GA-3]