U.S. Congressman Paul Broun, M.D. (GA-10) yesterday joined Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) to give a briefing on their FOCUS (Freedom from Over-Criminalization and Unjust Seizures) Act of 2012 at The Heritage Foundation. In a discussion hosted by former Attorney General Edwin Meese, Rep. Broun and Sen. Paul detailed how their bill would remove massive government overreach and criminal liability from the Lacey Act.
Congressman Broun speaking during the briefing joined by Senator Paul and former Attorney General Meese
Broun said, "It is absolutely ridiculous that a simple conservation and anti-poaching bill has been warped to make American citizens liable for thousands of foreign laws -- in clear violation of their Constitutional rights. Our importers shouldn't have to be the policemen for other countries in order to avoid going to jail. Furthermore, our job creators should never have to fear having their factories raided and goods seized by armed agents, all without any criminal charge. No good citizen should be forced to endure what happened to Gibson Guitar.
"I thank The Heritage Foundation and Senator Rand Paul for their help in identifying and working to repeal these onerous provisions. I also call on my colleagues in Congress to pass the FOCUS Act and to take a no-brainer step toward stopping these outrageous actions by our federal government."