Posted on 07/01/2005 1:04:12 AM PDT by YCTHouston
WASHINGTON - A Supreme Court decision allowing governments to seize property for economic development purposes has prompted an angry reaction in Congress, where lawmakers in both the House and Senate promoted legislation Thursday designed to mitigate the impact of the ruling.
Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, proposed legislation that would bar the federal government and local and state governments who receive federal funds from taking property for economic development use.
"The protection of homes, small businesses, and other property rights against government seizure and other unreasonable government interference is a fundamental principle and core commitment of our nation's founders," according to a letter written by Cornyn and Florida Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson. The letter was sent to colleagues asking for co-sponsors for the legislation.
DeLay backed similar bill House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Sugar Land, threw his support behind a similar measure that was introduced in that chamber by Judiciary Committee Chairman James Sensenbrenner, R-Wis.
"This is a horrible decision by the Supreme Court," said DeLay, who said that the ruling is an example of why Congress should exert more oversight of the judiciary.
"This Congress is not going to just idly sit by and let an unaccountable judiciary make these kind of decisions without taking our responsibility and our duty given to us by the Constitution to be a check on the judiciary," said DeLay.
On Thursday, the House took an initial step toward trying to curb the use of federal money whenever a government seizes property for private development. Lawmakers by a 231-189 margin approved an amendment to a spending bill that would bar the use of federal funds to improve or construct infrastructure on such lands.
In Texas, state lawmakers hurried to sponsor other proposals designed to blunt the effects of the court ruling.
Resolution for amendment Rep. Frank Corte, R-San Antonio, introduced a resolution calling for an amendment to the state Constitution that would prevent land seizures for primarily economic developmental purposes, and some 100 legislators signed up as co-sponsors. In the upper chamber, state Sen. Robert Deuell, R-Greenville, filed an identical resolution. State Sen. Kyle Janek, R-Houston, filed a separate resolution.
DeLay cited the case of Freeport as an example of municipalities that plan on taking property for economic development purposes.
But Freeport Mayor Jim Phillips said the bills introduced Thursday in the House and Senate would not affect the city's efforts to seize three tracts of land along the Old Brazos River from two seafood companies for an $8 million private marina.
The rallying point In a 5-4 decision earlier this week, the Supreme Court ruled the city of New London, Conn., could use eminent domain proceedings to replace an aging residential neighborhood with a privately constructed development of offices, a hotel and a pedestrian river walkway. Municipal officials said it would increase the tax base.
The owners of the 15 homes the city planned to seize challenged the city unsuccessfully in court.
The case has become a rallying point for conservatives, who have traditionally sought to protect property rights.
But the legislation to curb eminent domain proceedings has also drawn a number of Democrats, such as Rep. Gene Green of Houston, who represent inner-city constituencies fearful of government seizure.
Houston Chronicle reporter Polly Ross Hughes contributed to this report from Austin.
bennett.roth@chron.com
Eminent Domain update from congress; some guys might actually get it (Cornyn, DeLay). Wonders never cease.
Fun ED stuff; sorry I forgot you on the first ping.
You really think Our Masters in the Supreme Court will be stopped by a mere law, when they have divined otherwise from the Constitution?
Congress has to pass legislation to enforce an already existing amendment? That's essentially saying Congress recognizes the Constitution as irrelevant so they end up making more redundant laws.
I know this may sound as a novel idea but let's enforce the laws we have by removing those who violate the Constitution!
How about a constitutional amendment?
Well, what do courts in the Netherlands say about Eminent Domain?
They just did away with the Fifth Amendment; how about daring them to come and take it?
In case folks want to encourage the Weare, N.H., selectmen who have the power to take Judge Souter's house by eminent domain so that it can be replaced by a higher-tax-paying hotel, here are the Selectmen's addresses.
Let's all plan our vacations to the Lost Liberty Hotel
http://www.freestarmedia.com/hotellostliberty2.html
Yeah, I'm surprised at Cornyn. I thought he was the new Phil Gramm. "Whatever Money wants......"
DeLay is showing us that, as a former businessman, he's more conservative and constitutionalist than he is ex-businessman. Interesting. No wonder the Houston Chronicle hates his guts.
I've been to the museums; the founders were little guys.
I wonder when they stand for reelection -- if they don't Get It pretty quick, it should be an interesting New Hampshire campaign to follow.
LG, DeLay was a SMALL businessman. That's the difference. Not all businessmen are out to screw you.
But yes, I am pleasantly surprised by Cornyn. After amnesty, he was due for a good move.
We are the only ones who can convince them that we are not playing their game anymore.
Want re-election? Then listen to the people.
Blah blah blah. Just get it done, GOP.
Yeah, you are right. The founders are big in my eyes. The constitution was inspired and established the liberty we have today. My debt to them is huge. We stand on their shoulders and gaze at an unlimited future. If you travel abroad, when you return here, you can smell the freedom. Take that, any of you intellectuals claiming they were hay seeds tramping manure, unable to appreciate nuance and that some guy like Churchill from Colorado could do better.
The Supreme Court has re-interpretated the Constitution...These are the same people that previously ruled by re-interpretation that the Constitution is a 'living document' meaning it can be changed to fit the times...
Now that they control what the Constitution means, any law they don't like coming from Congress can and will be deemed unConstitutional...
Congress is wasting their time and millions in taxpayer money coming up with new laws to make an end run around the 'new' eminant domain ruling...
Nothing short of impeachment will have any affect...And they're too gutless to try that maneuver...
You're right. But they'll waste no time patting themselves on the back for "trying" and telling us they've "earned" our vote.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.