States Seek Amendment to Check Federal Power
As numerous state governments battle against President Obama’s health care overhaul in court, some are making a quixotic push to curb the power of the federal government. How? By passing a constitutional amendment that would allow state legislatures to overturn federal laws enacted by Congress, the New York Times reports. Under the “repeal amendment,” a federal law or regulation would be repealed if legislatures in two-thirds of the states voted in favor of doing so. The effort is being led by state lawmakers in Virginia. Republican Rep. Rob Bishop of Utah introduced the proposed amendment in Congress, and it has the support of incoming House Majority Leader, Eric Cantor (R-Virginia). The proposal has gained the support of state lawmakers in 12 states, according to the Times, and Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli wrote to his fellow attorneys general earlier this month asking for their support.Yet it has little chance of coming to fruition, in large part because of how difficult it is to amend the Constitution. Constitutional amendments require both the approval of both houses of Congress as well as two-thirds of state legislatures … CMD
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