Missouri Nullification bills on House and Senate floor

I am sending this note of good news to patriot leaders across the state to prepare them to respond to what I think are the two most important pieces of legislation to be considered in Jefferson City this year.

Both are expressions of Missouri sovereignty (State’s Rights) and leverage the public disdain for the biggest government power grab in over half a century – Obamacare.

OBAMACARE NULLIFICATION BILL

HB 1534 “declares that the federal law known as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, signed by President Barack Obama on March 23, 2010, exceeds the power granted to Congress under the United States Constitution and therefore is not law, but is altogether void and of no force.”

That’s right, Missouri is going to tell the federal government that they have no jurisdiction beyond the powers enumerated in the U.S. Constitution and that we intend to “support and defend” the Constitution by telling them we will not allow our people to be subjected to liberty-stealing unconstitutional federal edicts!  It’s about time.

It would be reaonable for one to ask why go forward with a nullification bill when it looks like the US Supreme Court might rule Obamacare unconstitutional anyway.  There are several good reasons:

• SCOTUS might NOT do the right thing, and then we’ve lost an opportunity to strike while the iron is hot.
• SCOTUS might only rule against the individual mandate and then we would be stuck with the rest of the unconstitutional mess.  HB 1534 nullifies ALL of Obamacare
• Even if all of Obamare is thrown out, you can bet there will be attempts to replace it with something else. If Obama is re-elected you can bet he’ll be back with more of the same. Consider, too that even some Republicans are saying, “Repeal and replace. ”  Our strong reaction will send the message that we will not tollerate unconstitutional infringement on our healthcare freedom!
• It’s up to the states to restore the Republic and nullification is one the best tools we have to put the federal government back in the box the constitution.  We can “normalize” the use of nullification by leveraging this issue, which has 71% voter support already.

UPDATE, 04-16-12: On a 2nd read, the House voted 109-40. The bill is expected to come up for a third and final read and vote as early as Thursday this week.

HEALTH CARE FREEDOM AMENDMENT

SJR 39 (Cunningham) is the Health Care Freedom Amendment.  This amendment to the Missouri Constitution will go before the voters on the November ballot and declare in no uncertain terms out right to freedom in healthcare decisions.

This will probably be the week it starts the process on the senate floor. This amendment reaches far beyond Obamacare and will provide the legal basis to challenge any form of government control of the healthcare industry. It is truly forward looking and of importance beyond the current fight over Obamacare. Paul Curtman’s companion bill (HJR 64)  is also moving on the House side.

Please be watching for an announcement later this weekend and be prepared to forward it to your members. Feel free to email if you have any questions