Limiting federal courts' jurisdiction


September 23, 2004


Congress will vote today to either affirm or rebuke the notion that federal judges are the supreme interpreters of the Constitution. That notion, according to Thomas Jefferson, is a "very dangerous doctrine indeed, and one which would place us under the despotism of an oligarchy."

Today, the U.S. House will either side with Jefferson, or with activists federal judges, when H.R. 2028 -- to limit federal court jurisdiction in issues relating to the Pledge of Allegiance -- comes up for a vote.

The primary issue is whether or not Congress has the authority to limit jurisdiction of federal courts. Congressman Steve Chabot, chairman of the House Subcommittee on the Constitution, stated on September 15, 2004, "When the issue of limiting federal court jurisdiction was raised during the discussions of the Marriage Protection Act, our subcommittee held a hearing examining Congress's authority.
Although there was a mixed opinion on whether Congress should exercise its authority, there was a consensus that Congress did, in fact, have the authority under Article III of the Constitution to determine what issues were heard by the Supreme Court under its appellate jurisdiction and by the lower federal courts."

On July 20, 2004, we supported Congress's authority to limit federal court jurisdiction over questions arising under the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act so that the 50 states can determine for themselves whether or not to recognize same-sex marriage licenses issued by other states. Likewise, we support allowing the 50 states to determine for themselves how to decide cases and controversies involving the Pledge of Allegiance.

Urge your U.S. representative to vote for H.R. 2028. It's past time to check the authority of federal judges and to support the authority of the 50 states to decide for themselves. As Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia stated just three days ago, "Judges have no more capacity than the rest of us to determine what is moral."

To send your message, go to
http://capwiz.com/liberty/issues/al...6415756&type=CO

Kent Snyder
The Liberty Committee
http://www.thelibertycommittee.org

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quote:

"Learn, child, to catch a hint through whatever agency it may be given. 'Sermons may be preached through stones." - Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, Letters from the Masters of Wisdom, first series, p. 74, letter 31

Last edited by Trancer-X on Sep-23-2004 at 19:25