HR 450 Enumerated Powers Act

The Enumerated Powers Act is a bill introduced into the House by John Shadegg (AZ #3) and in the Senate by Tom Coburn of Oklahoma (Senate bill number is: S 1319). The bill is short and to the point (the way laws are supposed to be written). It simply states that if a bill is going to pass Congress it needs to have in it a reference to where in the Constitution they have the Constitutional authority do pass the bill.

Finally a good idea actually proposed by a Congressman. Nice to know that someone out there is looking out for the Constitution. It would be nice to know where they think they have a right to pass legislation like the Health Care bill or Cap and Trade. Accountability in Congress is a good thing.

Here is the complete text of the House version of the bill (look it is less than a page...hummm):

A BILL

To require Congress to specify the source of authority under the United States Constitution for the enactment of laws, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `Enumerated Powers Act'.

SEC. 2. SPECIFICATION OF CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY FOR ENACTMENT OF LAW.

(a) Constitutional Authority for This Act- This Act is enacted pursuant to the power granted Congress under article I, section 8, clause 18, of the United States Constitution and the power granted to each House of Congress under article I, section 5, clause 2, of the United States Constitution.

(b) Constitutional Authority Statement Required- Chapter 2 of title 1, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 102 the following new section:

`Sec. 102a. Constitutional authority clause

`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. The failure to comply with this section shall give rise to a point of order in either House of Congress. The availability of this point of order does not affect any other available relief.'

(c) Clerical Amendment- The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 2 of title 1, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 102 the following new item:

`102a. Constitutional authority clause.'.