[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 6 (Tuesday, January 18, 2011)]
[House]
[Page H255]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

           By Mr. BROUN of Georgia:
       H.R. 299.
       Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant 
     to the following:
       Article VI, Clause 3 of the U.S. Constitution declares that 
     Members of Congress are bound by oath or affirmation to 
     support the U.S. Constitution. This Article places an 
     obligation on Members of Congress to observe the limits of 
     their authority and repeal unconstitutional acts of Congress.
       The taxing and spending power found in Article I, Section 
     8, Clause 1 of the U.S. Constitution gives Congress the power 
     ``to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts, and excises, to 
     pay the debts and provide for the common defense and general 
     welfare of the United States.'' Repealing the deduction 
     threshold for medical expenses and strengthening high risks 
     pools are permissible under this enumerated power.
       The interstate Commerce power found in Article I, Section 
     8, Clause 3 of the U.S. Constitution explains that Congress 
     shall have power to regulate commerce among the several 
     states. Eliminating state barriers to interstate purchase of 
     health insurance and allowing association health plans to 
     exist are permissible under this enumerated power.