May 14, 2008

Rep. Shadegg has introduced the Enumerated Powers Act, H.R. 1359, which will require that all bills introduced in the U.S. Congress contain "a concise and definite statement" setting forth the specific constitutional authority "relied upon for enactment." The idea is to encourage Congress to engage in more debates upon the scope of its constitutional authority before passing legislation, though with no Democratic co-sponsors, one imagines it is unlikely Rep. Conyers will let the House Judiciary Committee let it get to the floor. Sen. Coburn will introduce parallel legislation in the Senate.