Tea Party Pushes 'Repeal Any Law' Amendment

Backers want state rights to jettison federal laws
By Mary Papenfuss,  Newser Staff
Posted Dec 20, 2010 2:45 AM CST
Updated Dec 20, 2010 7:55 AM CST
Tea Party Pushes 'Repeal Any Law' Amendment
Tea Party Patriots: they don't like the feds.   (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)

It could be the law to end all laws. The Tea Party is pushing a constitutional amendment that would allow any act of Congress to be overturned by a vote of two-thirds of state legislatures. It already has backing of legislative leaders in 12 states and incoming House Majority Leader Eric Canter—and was introduced this month in Congress. The measure is a sign of voter animosity toward Congress, notes the New York Times. “Washington has grown far too large and has become far too intrusive, reaching into nearly every aspect of our lives,” Cantor said.

"The repeal amendment would provide a check on the ever-expanding federal government, protect against Congressional overreach and get the government working for the people again, not the other way around," he added. The measure faces nearly insurmountable obstacles, not the least of which is that Congress would have to vote to curtail its own power—though states may be eager to do so. One professor calls it a "really bad idea" because it would give the same power to small states as to large states, granting major clout to small population pockets. But the head of an organization backing the amendment insists: "We're getting some speed." (More Tea Party stories.)

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