Enumerated Powers Act Text of HR 450

This is really a good place to start diving into the issues and consider other sources.

The bill is short but to ask your representative if he/she supports it may become lengthy.

Introduced January 9, 2009
To require Congress to specify the source of authority under the United States Constitution for the enactment of laws, and for other purposes.

The following is from www.opencongress.org/bill/111-h450/text and http://www.customrhd.com/hr450.html

I've been looking at a lot of the tea party websites and noticed a pattern. A pattern of inconsistency. They all seem to be against the stimulus and spending and also mention the constitution but It seems the Government is going to receive hundreds of different yet similar petitions. I ran across a Bill a couple of days ago that's been introduced to Congress more than once which is simple and to the point. Not even half a page as opposed to 1100 pages. It is the "Enumerated Powers Act" (H.R. 450), which requires that: "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." That's it. This is very important as it is what this great country was founded on and it has been ignored for years by the Government. I think combined with the anti stimulus and spending path that we're on now this would do the trick. Then at a later time we can work on getting some past issues to comply.
These files are available for anyone to use and there is no advertising on my site. Just helping the cause. Here's the web address. www.customrhd.com/teaparty.html

"If ever a time should come, when vain and aspiring men shall possess the highest seats in Government, our country will stand in need of its experienced patriots to prevent its ruin." - Samuel Adams

Think about that. Over 200 years ago the likes of Jefferson, Samuel Adams and many others predicted what's happening right now. That's why they wrote the Declaration of Independence and more importantly The Constitution. To protect future generations (us) from "vain and aspiring men". Not rulers, They already took the perilous journey to escape them. (imagine the courage it took to get on that wooden ship that was barely maneuverable and had to sail the trade winds to the "New Country"). Not to mention the courage of those that have served our country since. Let us have that same courage! By ignoring the Constitution, the leaders of the last few/several administrations are getting closer to becoming "rulers". The United States Government was originally meant to be a small entity run by the States. Hence the reason D.C. to this day does not have the right to vote in the Presidential Election. (wiki it) The District of Columbia is not one of the States nor part of one. The United States Government is far from small these days obviously. Let's stick to the Constitution that made this country so great so fast. No other country in history has done so much good for the world. We should not let that end!

Every United States Politician swears an oath to "... preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."
A Bill was introduced called "Enumerated Powers Act" (H.R. 450), which requires that:

"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 bill was reintroduced on Jan. 9; it has 18 co-sponsors. This means that 417 representatives are not co-sponsoring the bill – yet. This number could, and should, change. It will not change, however, unless voters force their individual representatives to co-sponsor the bill or publicly explain why not.

How to Make Change We can Afford
Every person should call his or her representative and ask directly if the representative will co-sponsor and vote for H.R. 450, the Enumerated Powers Act, or to explain why not – in writing.

Keep a diary. The staff person who takes your call (get his or her name) will tell you that someone will get back to you. When you haven't heard from the staffer in two days, call again. And again. And again, if necessary. If you haven't gotten a reply in two weeks, after four or more calls, write a letter to every newspaper in your district explaining your request, and the response from your representative.

If you get a positive response and a promise to co-sponsor the bill, check with the Library of Congress to make sure your representative has actually signed the bill. When he or she does sign, write a letter to every newspaper in the district thanking the representative for living up to his oath.
Every representative should be hounded by many callers, until each representative either co-sponsors the bill or declares why not.
But this may not be enough.
Say the bill was referred to the Rules Committee and to the Judiciary Committee. Even if the bill had 435 co-sponsors, the chairman of either committee could simply refuse to move the bill from the committee to the floor for a vote.
Sadly, this is what has happened to similar bills in the past. They simply die in committee, and the public never even knows such a bill was proposed.

Not this time.

H.R. 450 should become the theme song of all the "Tea Parties" that are taking place around the country. Glenn Beck's "We surround them" movement should surround Congress with H.R. 450 and the request they sign it, or explain why not. Freedom21 organizations and Ron Paul's Campaign for Liberty should join the campaign to force a constitutional showdown. Callers to Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity should urge their listeners to focus on H.R. 450, and soon, congressmen will have to sign the bill or explain why they won't.

(Regardless of you’re views of these individuals or Organizations they have influence over people)

Representative Louise Slaughter chairs the House Rules Committee, and Representative John Conyers chairs the House Judiciary Committee. Both of these committee chairs should be bombarded with phone calls and emails asking that H.R. 450 be brought to the House floor for a recorded vote. Every constituent and every reporter who has an opportunity to ask a representative a question in public should ask whether he supports the Enumerated Powers Act and if not, why not.

Nothing short of massive public pressure will force congressmen to take a position on this important bill. Nothing short of a return to the Constitution can save this great nation.

It’s going to take some work but you may discover that you like taking an active part in influencing your government. Be polite when you call or write, but be firm, determined, persistent and loud. Make sure that your neighbors know what your representative has to say.

Forcing Congress to return to the U.S. Constitution may be the most important service we can perform for our Country and this may be our last chance.

This article comes from Henry Lamb and was found on worldnetdaily