Pennsylvania Republicans Decry Representation Without Taxation
Pennsylvania Republicans Decry Representation Without Taxation
Today, the Republican Members of Pennsylvania's Congressional Delegation objected to a Democrat sponsored proposal to allow Delegates to the House of Representative voting rights on legislation before the Whole House.
Article 1, Section 2 of the Constitution clearly states that the House shall be comprised of "Members chosen ..by the people of the several states " It does not provide full voting privileges for Delegates representing non-state territories.
The American Flag has a field of fifty stars for a reason; they represent the number of constitutionally recognized states in our Union. Only those states can be fully represented in the United States House of Representatives under law. The Members of the Republican Congressional Delegation of Pennsylvania agree that this move by the Democratic Majority amounts to nothing more than "representation without taxation."
Congressman Phil English (PA-03) said:
"This measure is a political power grab by the new Majority that will do nothing except diminish Pennsylvania's voting strength in the U.S. House of Representatives. It is absolutely absurd that Delegates representing, for example American Samoa, which has the same population as Millcreek Township in Erie, Pennsylvania, would get a vote in Congress. Citizens in these territories do not pay taxes. Why should they have a vote on spending ours?"
Congressman Joseph Pitts (PA-16) said:
"This is nothing more than a thinly-veiled power-grab, and it comes at the expense of the U.S. Constitution. Democrats argue that this is fair and just, but I don't see what's fair about letting delegates who don't pay federal taxes vote to raise taxes on those who do."
Congressman John Peterson (PA-05) said:
"As written, this plan steps far beyond the boundaries of reason, commonsense, and most likely the Constitution. The notion that delegates from territories that pay no income tax to the United States should be given an equal vote on the floor of the U.S. House defies logic, and represents an insult to the nearly 650,000 people I represent in rural Pennsylvania who do pay their fair share of taxes."
Congressman Bill Shuster (PA-9) said:
"This is an obscene and ridiculous attempt at a power grab by the Democrats. The Democrats' resolution dilutes the power of the Pennsylvania Congressional Delegation and the hard working Pennsylvanians we represent. It tramples all over the Constitution and the idea of one-man-one-vote."
"Under the Democrat plan, Delegates representing a territory with fewer people than the 9th district of Pennsylvania would have the power to vote to pad their big government agenda."
Congressman Todd Platts (PA-19) said:
"This proposal is clearly contrary to the constitutional guarantee of one person, one vote and is being rushed through the legislative process without the opportunity for full debate and public scrutiny."
Congressman Jim Gerlach (PA-06) said:
"My priority is to represent my constituents in Pennsylvania's 6th Congressional District. Giving Delegates, representing regions of our nation with far less people than the rest of Congress, the same voting power that I have is fundamentally unfair to my constituents and therefore is not something I could support."
Congressman Tim Murphy (PA-18) said:
"The people of Pennsylvania already pay too much in taxes, and now the Leadership in Congress wants Delegates from territories who do not pay federal income tax to make decisions about how our tax dollars are spent and how much we pay Uncle Sam. Delegates from American Samoa, Guam, and the Virgin Islands should not have the power to take money out the wallets of working families in Allegheny, Washington, and Westmoreland Counties. Not only is this unconstitutional, it is just unfair."
Congressman Charlie Dent (PA-15) said:
"This legislation turns the notion of one person, one vote' on its head!"
In all, the Republican Delegation from Pennsylvania believes that the Democrat's plan chips another protection away from America's taxpayers. Today, they have acted to add four more votes for guarantee passage of tax increases down the road.
This isn't the first time the Democrats tried to pad their majority. In 1992, they changed the rules to allow Delegates to vote. The rule was overturned when the Republicans regained the Majority in 1995. However, the reaction from the media the first time was overwhelmingly negative:
Chicago Tribune: "This is a power grab and a disservice to government. While it boosts Democratic congressional strength, it also damages the party's image and some of its long-term interests" (Editorial, 12/30/92).
New York Times: "A greedy grab an outrageous power play .a distressing sign that the leadership hasn't the slightest clue that people are fed up with Washington's business as usual." (Editorial, 12/29/92)
USA Today: "The Democrats' first order of business is a power grab that short-circuits the Constitution." (Editorial, 1/4/93)
http://www.house.gov/list/press/pa09_shuster/repwotax.html