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Two new rules will give Constitution a starring role in GOP-controlled House (never done before)
Washington Post ^ | 12/29/10 | Philip Rucker and Krissah Thompson

Posted on 12/29/2010 2:44:05 PM PST by Libloather

Two new rules will give Constitution a starring role in GOP-controlled House
By Philip Rucker and Krissah Thompson
Washington Post Staff Writers
Wednesday, December 29, 2010; 4:53 PM

When Republicans take over next week, they will do something that apparently has never been done before in the 221-year history of the House of Representatives.

They will read the Constitution aloud.

And then they will require that every new bill contain a statement by the legislator who wrote it citing the constitutional authority to enact the proposed law.

Call it the tea party-ization of Congress.

"It appears that the Republicans have been listening," said Jeff Luecke, a sales supervisor and tea party organizer in Dubuque, Iowa. "We're so far away from our founding principles that, absolutely, this is the very, very tip of the iceberg. We need to talk about and learn about the Constitution daily."

**SNIP**

The reading of the Constitution will occur Jan. 6, one day after the swearing in of Speaker-designate John Boehner (R-Ohio). The 4,543-word document, including all 27 amendments, could be read aloud in just 30 minutes.

(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Extended News; Government; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: Ohio
KEYWORDS: 112th; 112thgop; boehner; congress; constitution; gop; house; obama; ohio; palin; rules; teaparty
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To: mykroar

I’m not that optomistic either. Trust, but verify.


41 posted on 12/29/2010 3:38:28 PM PST by vpintheak (Democrats: Robbing humans of their dignity 1 law at a time)
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To: Windflier
If that's all the time it takes to read our Founding Document aloud, then it ought to be read at the beginning of every session of Congress. I understand that the Senate hasn't adopted this rule, though they should.

Along with a morning roll call and at least two thirds in attendance inside the chamber itself to have a daily session. With no talking or whispering level only during the reading of the Constitution. I'd like to see C-Span cameras panning the chambers at random during this time was well.

42 posted on 12/29/2010 3:43:06 PM PST by cva66snipe (Two Choices left for U.S. One Nation Under GOD or One Nation Under Judgment? Which one say ye?)
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To: cva66snipe
Along with a morning roll call and at least two thirds in attendance inside the chamber itself to have a daily session. With no talking or whispering level only during the reading of the Constitution.

If enough of us wish it, so shall it be.

Actually, I don't know whose idea it was to read the Constitution out loud at the commencement of the 112th Congress, but I want to thank them.

I'd really like to see the members debating the constitutionality of every bill and amendment. The people really need their representatives to filter all legislation through the Great Sieve.

43 posted on 12/29/2010 3:48:49 PM PST by Windflier (To anger a conservative, tell him a lie. To anger a liberal, tell him the truth.)
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To: Windflier

“I understand that the Senate hasn’t adopted this rule, though they should.”

If we want to get the Senate straightened out, the first thing we have to do is repeal the Seventeenth Amendment.

Right. Hide in the weeds and wait for THAT to happen.


44 posted on 12/29/2010 3:50:34 PM PST by beelzepug ("Don't be a wise guy, Eddie.")
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To: Libloather

If they use this as a qualification for re-authorizing EPA,DEA,BATF, etc then we’re in business!


45 posted on 12/29/2010 3:51:51 PM PST by ROTB (Sans Christian revival, we are government slaves, or nuked by China/Russia when we finally revolt.)
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To: Libloather

Fan-freakin’-tastic.


46 posted on 12/29/2010 3:55:14 PM PST by LS ("Castles made of sand, fall in the sea . . . eventually." (Hendrix))
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To: frogjerk

I can hear Bawney Fwank now: “Mithta Thpeaka, point of orhduh!”


47 posted on 12/29/2010 3:56:52 PM PST by beelzepug ("Don't be a wise guy, Eddie.")
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To: beelzepug
If we want to get the Senate straightened out, the first thing we have to do is repeal the Seventeenth Amendment. Right. Hide in the weeds and wait for THAT to happen.

Take heart, friend. This war is just getting started, but we've already taken much ground from the enemy. Keep moving forward, and take no prisoners.

48 posted on 12/29/2010 3:56:53 PM PST by Windflier (To anger a conservative, tell him a lie. To anger a liberal, tell him the truth.)
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To: vpintheak
A worthy idea. Lets hope and pray that they follow through.

Don't bet the farm on this heard of low grade morons following through with this promise.

49 posted on 12/29/2010 3:59:18 PM PST by dearolddad
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To: Libloather; ml/nj; ExTexasRedhead; theothercheek; SunkenCiv; AJFavish; GreatOne; Red Steel; ...
And then they will require that every new bill contain a statement by the legislator who wrote it citing the constitutional authority to enact the proposed law.

Interesting idea, but I doubt it will cause too many in the House to think twice about introducing their legislation. They will merely continue to stretch the "interstate commerce" clause and the "general welfare" clause, etc., beyond recognition. It may slow down pork and earmarks, however.

Furthermore, there might be a dilemma if new legislation was introduced to repeal previous legislation which the current congressman might regard as unconstitutional, e.g., ObamaCare. What constitutional basis would he cite for repeal?

50 posted on 12/29/2010 3:59:21 PM PST by justiceseeker93
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To: Paladin2

There should be an exam. Anyone who fails should be forced to resign.


51 posted on 12/29/2010 4:00:55 PM PST by Cobra64
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To: justiceseeker93

“And then they will require that every new bill contain a statement by the legislator who wrote it citing the constitutional authority to enact the proposed law.”

I believe the oath of office contains this already - no one there is worth their word.


52 posted on 12/29/2010 4:03:24 PM PST by edcoil ("The only winning move is not to play")
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To: Libloather

It’s a start and a good one. I’d like to see the Declaration included. It would highlight who our domestic enemies are.


53 posted on 12/29/2010 4:05:34 PM PST by sergeantdave
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To: dearolddad

Oh don’t worry. I am above all else cynical when it comes to politics. I am positively convinced that a minimum of 90% of these people don’t give a damn about the Country but are in it for the connections, power, and to line their pockets. Period. All the rest is talk and BS.


54 posted on 12/29/2010 4:10:29 PM PST by vpintheak (Democrats: Robbing humans of their dignity 1 law at a time)
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To: vpintheak

“”A worthy idea. Lets hope and pray that they follow through.””

Keep your fingers limbered up for the phones and computer keyboard....Let’s not let them forget we are STILL watching!


55 posted on 12/29/2010 4:15:20 PM PST by Thank You Rush
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To: Typical_Whitey

***We should make note of how many liberals are not there or walk out during the reading it will make great campaign commercials.***

Good thought!


56 posted on 12/29/2010 4:16:49 PM PST by kitkat ( Obama: Hype and Chains.)
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To: Libloather
I am reminded of the Star Trek episode: "The Omega Glory"

YouTube: Star Trek [2x23] The Omega Glory (Part 5 of 5)

57 posted on 12/29/2010 4:17:46 PM PST by DBeers (†)
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To: Libloather

So, which bursts into flame first? The Constitution or the House Chamber?


58 posted on 12/29/2010 4:23:25 PM PST by Grut
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To: traditional1
The Constitutional Authority that will be cited in the vast majority of the Bills will be the “Commerce Clause”, which provides the justification for everything from condoms to toilet paper.....

If the new rule forces them to at least discuss publicly the rationale for these commerce clause abuses it will be valuable. Same for the general welfare clause. Neither of them will stand up to 2 minutes of logical argument but that is 2 minutes more than either has had to withstand since they became the constitutional rubber stamps during the Roosevelt administration.

59 posted on 12/29/2010 4:24:42 PM PST by Homer_J_Simpson ("Every nation has the government that it deserves." - Joseph de Maistre (1753-1821))
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To: Homer_J_Simpson
"discuss publicly the rationale for these commerce clause abuses"

Correct in that the Roosevelt Regime began the socialism agenda implementation. We now have Courts packed with activist Judges who consistently will NOT render a verdict that is anti-Elitist. This includes the USSC, which now has 2 more BLATANT socialists (Sotomayor and Kagan), and there is nowhere We The People can turn for relief, except via a do-over.

60 posted on 12/29/2010 4:30:00 PM PST by traditional1 ("Don't gotsta worry 'bout no mo'gage, don't gotsta worry 'bout no gas; Obama gonna take care o' me!)
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