Congress Trying to Nullify Supreme Courts Property Rights Decision

House Judiciary Committee Chairman F. James Sensenbrenner Jr. (R-Wis.)along with Democratic Representative John Conyers Jr. (Mich.) will introduce a Private Property Rights Protection Act that will prohibit any state or municipality from using federal funds for any project in which economic development is used as a justification for exercising eminent domain.

A similar measure is being introduced in the Senate. Senator. John Cornyn (R-Tex.)and Senator. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) are cosponsors of the Protection of Homes, Small Businesses and Private Property Act which will rely on the authority of the legislature to regulate the use of federal funds, and declares the view of Congress that "the power of eminent domain should be exercised only 'for public use' " and not "to further private economic development."

It's good to see that most Congressmen are taking the concerns of their constituents seriously. However, one Democrat had to have her say about the proposed acts. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi(D-CA) had this to say, "When you withhold funds from enforcing a decision of the Supreme Court, you are in fact nullifying a decision of the Supreme Court," Pelosi said. "This is in violation of the respect of separation of powers in our Constitution -- church and state as well. Sometimes the Republicans have a problem with that, as well."

Well geesh Ms. Pelosi, the Supreme Court didn't seem to care too much that it nullified our rights to private property. I see both acts as a stop gap measure until legislation is passed to restore private property rights. I have no problem denying Federal funding to those municipalities that seek to profit by the Supreme Courts decision. It is no different then denying funding for roads to those states that have lowered the drinking age to under 21.

It is nice to see that the majority of Republicans and Democrats in Congress are working together to rectify this wrong. I am not giving up my Adventuresin Citizenship. This is just too important. It doesn't take much to create a petition. It is something that anyone in the country can do and also has the benefit of channeling the anger you might be feeling to action. So come on, you can do the same.