House Republicans Launch New 10th Amendment Task Force

Statement

Today, U.S. Representative Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) and ten other Members of Congress officially launched the newly formed 10th Amendment Task Force. The Task Force will develop and promote proposals that aim to disperse power, decision-making, and taxpayer money from Washington back to states, local governments and individuals.

The following are excerpts of Representative Lummis' remarks during the 10th Amendment Task Force press conference:

"It's a shame that it takes a financial crisis to finally motivate Washington to read the directions. You know the old saying, "when all else fails read the directions.' And the directions are in our Constitution. And the Constitution-- after we had the Declaration of Independence reminding us that we were endowed with inalienable rights by our Creator, and that we were consenting to be governed by this unified government under the Constitution -- giving that government in Washington limited powers so we would protect our borders, we would defend our country, and we'd deliver the mail.

"It was contemplated that other powers would be reserved to the states and the people. And as someone who has spent her entire adult life before coming here in the Wyoming Legislature and as State Treasurer, and as the Director of State Lands and Investments in Wyoming, I am astounded by what Members of Congress feel are appropriate issues for this Congress to deal with.

"The issues we deal with every day are by and large issues that were intended by the framers of the Constitution to be addressed at the state level. And that's because states know their people better. They know their issues better.

"It's important that we return to states what states do best. And that we have a strong limited government here in Washington to make sure that we do what we do best -- securing the strength and integrity of this country."

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