Issue Position: Constitutional Issues

Issue Position

Each morning, before heading to my office, I ensure that I have my copy of the United States Constitution tucked into the inside pocket of my suit jacket. The Founders of our great nation used personal experience and knowledgeable insight to formulate this document that serves as the foundation for our country. The Constitution, particularly the Bill of Rights, was a vital contribution to the forming of our great nation and I will work to ensure the Constitution is upheld.

2nd Amendment: Our Founding Fathers knew that the 2nd Amendment gave citizens the guarantee that would protect our other Constitutional rights from the prospect of a tyrannical government. As a concealed weapon permit (CWP) holder, I believe that every American has the right to protect himself. For this reason, I am a cosponsor of H.R. 822, the National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act, which would allow reciprocity for concealed weapons permits throughout the United States. I will not support any legislation that undermines the Second Amendment for law-abiding citizens.

Recess Appointments: Article II, Section II of the United States Constitution gives the President the authority to temporarily bypass the confirmation process through a "recess appointment," but only when the Senate is out of session. Recess appointments were intended to be a tool for keeping the government operating smoothly after our country was founded and Congress would regularly adjourn for months at a time. To prevent President Obama from abusing recess appointments for political convenience, many House Republicans, including myself, have traveled to Washington to intentionally force the United States Senate to stay in session. President Obama's controversial appointments outside of an actual recess take a dangerous step towards eliminating our system of checks and balances.

Protecting Civil liberties: I voted against H.R. 1540, the National Defense Authorization Act because the detainee language in this bill represents the first time Congress has explicitly granted the President the authority to hold US citizens in military custody for an indefinite period of time. While supporters of this legislation claim to have inserted some constitutional protections, the language added during negotiations between the House and the Senate is too vague to adequately protect the rights of the American people. I will always vote to ensure that the First and Fourth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution are upheld in protecting the liberties that Americans cherish.

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