[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 1]
[House]
[Pages 878-880]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY STATEMENT

  Pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII of the Rules of the House of 
Representatives, the following statements are submitted regarding the 
specific powers granted to Congress in the Constitution to enact the 
accompanying bill or joint resolution.

           By Mr. SMITH of New Jersey:
       H.R. 7.
       Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant 
     to the following:
       The Congress's Power under the Spending Clause in Article 
     I, Section 8, of the Constitution.
           By Mr. SARBANES:
       H.R. 20.
       Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant 
     to the following:
       Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution under the 
     General Welfare Clause.
           By Mr. COLLINS of Georgia:
       H.R. 423.
       Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant 
     to the following:
       Article 1, Section 8, Clause 14: To make Rules for the 
     Government and Regulation of our Land and Naval Forces.
           By Mr. PRICE of North Carolina:
       H.R. 424.
       Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant 
     to the following:
       Congressional power to provide for public financing of 
     campaigns arises under the General Welfare Clause, Art. I, 
     Sec. 8, of the Constitution.
       In Buckley v. Valeo, 424 U.S. 1, 91 (1976), the Supreme 
     Court upheld the congressional power to enact public 
     financing of presidential elections under this Clause. The 
     Supreme Court stated with regard to the provisions in the 
     Federal Election Campaign Act Amendments of 1974 establishing 
     a presidential public financing system, ``In this case, 
     Congress was legislating for the `general welfare'--to reduce 
     the deleterious influence of large contributions on our 
     political process, to facilitate communication by candidates 
     with the electorate, and to free candidates from the rigors 
     of fundraising.''
           By Mr. PRICE of North Carolina:
       H.R. 425.
       Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant 
     to the following:
       Art. I, Sec. 8, of the U.S. Constitution.
           By Mr. JODY B. HICE of Georgia:
       H.R. 426.
       Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant 
     to the following:
       Article I, Section 8, Clause 18 that states that Congress 
     shall have the Power ``To make all Laws which shall be 
     necessary for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, 
     and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the 
     Government of the United States or in any Department or 
     Officer thereof.''
       Additionally, Section 1 of the XIV Amendment states, ``. . 
     . nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or 
     property, without due process of law. . .'' and under Section 
     5 of the XIV Amendment, ``The Congress shall have power to 
     enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions of this 
     article.''
           By Mr. YOUNG of Indiana:
       H.R. 427.
       Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant 
     to the following:
       This bill is enacted pursuant to the power granted Congress 
     under Article I of the United States Constitution, including 
     the power granted Congress under Article I, Section 8, Clause 
     18, of the United States Constitution, and the power granted 
     to each House of Congress under Article I, Section 5, Clause 
     2, of the United States Constitution.
            By Mr. POE of Texas:
       H.R. 428.
       Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant 
     to the following:
       Article 1, Section 8, Clause 3
            By Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia:
       H.R. 429.
       Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant 
     to the following:
       This bill is enacted pursuant to:
       Clause 1 of section 8 of article I of the Constitution of 
     the United States.
           By Mr. VAN HOLLEN:
       H.R. 430.
       Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant 
     to the following:
       The Constitutional authority for this bill is Section 4 of 
     Article I, which gives Congress the power to make laws 
     governing the time, place, and manner of Federal elections.
           By Ms. SEWELL of Alabama:
       H.R. 431.
       Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant 
     to the following:
       Article I Section 8
           By Mr. LUETKEMEYER:
       H.R. 432.
       Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant 
     to the following:
       The constitutional authority on which this bill rests is 
     the explicit power of Congress to regulate commerce in and 
     among the states, as enumerate in Article 1, Section 8, 
     Clause 3, the Commerce Clause, of the United States 
     Constitution.
       Additionally, Article 1, Section 7, Clause 2 of the 
     Constitution allows for every bill passed by the House of 
     Representatives and the Senate and signed by the President to 
     be codified into law; and therefore implicitly allows 
     Congress to amend any bill that has been passed by both 
     chambers and signed into law by the President.
            By Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania:
       H.R. 433.
       Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant 
     to the following:
       This bill is enacted pursuant to the power granted to 
     Congress under Article I, Section 8, Clause 7 of the United 
     States Constitution which gives Congress the power ``To 
     establish Post Offices and post Roads.''
            By Mr. BURGESS:
       H.R. 434.
       Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant 
     to the following:
       The attached legislation falls under Congress' enumerated 
     constitutional authority to regulate interstate commerce 
     pursuant to Article I, Section 8, clause 3.
           By Mr. CHAFFETZ:
       H.R. 435.

[[Page 879]]

       Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant 
     to the following:
       Article IV, Section 3, Clause 2: relating to the power of 
     Congress to dispose of and make all needful rules and 
     regulations respecting the territory or other property 
     belonging to the United States.
            By Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ:
       H.R. 436.
       Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant 
     to the following:
       The Constitutional authority on which this bill rests is 
     the power of Congress to provide for the general welfare of 
     the United States, as enumerated in Article 1, Section 8, 
     Clause 1 of the United States Constitution, and to regulate 
     commerce as enumerated in Article 1, Section 8, Clause 3.
           By Mr. GIBBS:
       H.R. 437.
       Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant 
     to the following:
       Article IV, Section 3, Clause 2 of the Constitution 
     provides that ``The Congress shall have Power to dispose of 
     and make all needful Rules and Regulations respecting the 
     Territory or other Property belonging to the United States.''
           By Mr. GENE GREEN of Texas:
       H.R. 438.
       Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant 
     to the following:
       Article I, Section 8 of the United States Constitution.
           By Mr. WEBER of Texas:
       H.R. 439.
       Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant 
     to the following:
       This bill is enacted pursuant to the power granted to 
     Congress under Article 1, Section 1 and Article 1, Section 9.
       ``All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in 
     a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a 
     Senate and House of Representatives.''
       ``No money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in 
     Consequence of Appropriations made by Law; and a regular 
     Statement and Account of the Receipts and Expenditures of all 
     public Money shall be published from time to time.''
           By Mr. BOUSTANY:
       H.R. 440.
       Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant 
     to the following:
       Article I, Section 8, Clause 1
           By Mr. BOUSTANY:
       H.R. 441.
       Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant 
     to the following:
       Article I, Section 8, Clause 1
           By Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania:
       H.R. 442.
       Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant 
     to the following:
       Article 1, Clause 8, Section 18.
           By Mr. BRIDENSTINE:
       H.R. 443.
       Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant 
     to the following:
       Article I, Section 8 gives Congress the power to make all 
     laws necessary and proper to carry into execution the 
     preceding enumerated powers. It is necessary and proper for 
     Congress to eliminate the National Technical Information 
     Service in the Department of Commerce.
           By Ms. BROWNLEY of California:
       H.R. 444.
       Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant 
     to the following:
       Article 1, Section 8
           By Mr. BUCSHON:
       H.R. 445.
       Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant 
     to the following:
       Article I, Section 8, Clause 18; Article IV, Section 3, 
     Clause 2.
           By Mr. CAPUANO:
       H.R. 446.
       Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant 
     to the following:
       Article I, Sec. 8, Clause 3: ``The Congress shall have 
     Power . . . To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and 
     among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes.''
           By Mr. CAPUANO:
       H.R. 447.
       Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant 
     to the following:
       Article I Sec. 8, Clause 3: ``The Congress shall have Power 
     . . . To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among 
     the several States, and with the Indian Tribes.''
           By Ms. JUDY CHU of California:
       H.R. 448.
       Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant 
     to the following:
       Pursuant to Article 1, Section 8, Clause 3 and Section 5 of 
     the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution.
           By Mr. DELANEY:
       H.R. 449.
       Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant 
     to the following:
       Article I, Section 8 of the United States Constitution
           By Mr. ELLISON:
       H.R. 450.
       Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant 
     to the following:
       The Principal constitutional authority for this legislation 
     is clause 18 in section 7 of section of article 1 of the 
     Constitution of the United States, which states: The Congress 
     shall have the power to make all laws which shall be 
     necessary and proper for carrying into exeution the foregoing 
     powers, and all other powers bested by this Constitution in 
     the government of the United States, or in any department or 
     officer thereof.
           By Mr. FLEISCHMANN:
       H.R. 451.
       Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant 
     to the following:
       Article 1, Section 8, Clause 18, which states the Congress 
     shall have the power ``to make all laws which shall be 
     necessary and proper for carrying into execution the 
     foregoing powers, and all other powers vested by this 
     Constitution in the government of the United States, or in 
     any department or officer thereof''
           By Mr. GIBSON:
       H.R. 452.
       Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant 
     to the following:
       Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution of the United 
     States
           By Mr. HULTGREN:
       H.R. 453.
       Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant 
     to the following:
       Article I, Sec. 8--to make all laws which shall be 
     necessary and proper for carrying into execution the 
     foregoing powers and all other powers vested by this 
     Constitution.
       Article I, Sec. 9--no money shall be drawn from the 
     Treasury but in consequence of appropriations made by law.
           By Mr. JONES:
       H.R. 454.
       Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant 
     to the following:
       The constitutional authority of Congress to enact this 
     legislation is provided by Article 1, section 8 of the United 
     States Constitution (clauses 12, 13, 14, and 16), which 
     grants Congress the power to raise and support an Army; to 
     provide and maintain a Navy; to make rules for the government 
     and regulation of the land and naval forces; and to provide 
     for organizing, arming, and disciplining the militia.
           By Mr. KATKO:
       H.R. 455.
       Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant 
     to the following:
       Article I, section 8, clause 1; and Article 1, section 8, 
     clause 18 of the Constitution of the United States.
           By Mr. MURPHY of Florida:
       H.R. 456.
       Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant 
     to the following:
       This bill is enacted pursuant to Article I Section 8 of the 
     Constitution of the United States.
           By Mr. PALLONE:
       H.R. 457.
       Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant 
     to the following:
       section 8 of article I of the Constitution.
           By Mr. SESSIONS:
       H.R. 458.
       Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant 
     to the following:
       Article 1, section 8, clause 3 of the United States 
     Constitution (relating to Congress' power to regulate 
     commerce . . . among the several states . . .). The United 
     States Congress initially enacted ERISA under the Commerce 
     Clause in order to stabilize employee pension plans that 
     employees carry with them across state lines. This bill 
     modifies ERISA and is thus a regulation of commerce--
     specifically pension plans--among more than one state.
           By Mr. TIPTON:
       H.R. 459.
       Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant 
     to the following:
       Article IV Section 3 clause 2 of the United States 
     Constitution.
           By Mr. WALKER:
       H.R. 460.
       Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant 
     to the following:
       Amendment XIII Section 1, ``Neither slavery nor involuntary 
     servitude, except as punishment for crime whereof the party 
     shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United 
     States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.'' Section 
     2, ``Congress shall have power to enforce this article by 
     appropriate legislation.''
           By Mr. YOUNG of Alaska:
       H.R. 461.
       Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant 
     to the following:
       Article I, Section 8, Clause 1
       The Congress shall have Power to lay and collect Taxes, 
     Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for 
     the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States; 
     but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform 
     throughout the United States.
           By Mr. KING of New York:
       H.R. 462.
       Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant 
     to the following:
       Article I, Section 8, Clause 6
       The Congress shall have Power . . . To make all Laws which 
     shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the 
     foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this 
     Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in 
     any Department or Officer thereof.
           By Mr. McGOVERN:
       H.J. Res. 23.

[[Page 880]]

       Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant 
     to the following:
       Article V of the Constitution of the United States.
           By Mr. CARNEY:
       H.J. Res. 24.
       Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant 
     to the following:
       Article V of the United States Constitution: ``The 
     Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it 
     necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, or, 
     on the Application of the Legislatures of two thirds of the 
     several States, shall call a Convention for proposing 
     Amendments, which, in either Case, shall be valid to all 
     Intents and Purposes, as Part of this Constitution, when 
     ratified by the Legislatures of three fourths of the several 
     States, or by Conventions in three fourths thereof, as the 
     one or the other Mode of Ratification may be proposed by the 
     Congress; Provided that no Amendment which may be made prior 
     to the Year One thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any 
     Manner affect the first and fourth Clauses in the Ninth 
     Section of the first Article; and that no State, without its 
     Consent, shall be deprived of its equal Suffrage in the 
     Senate.''
           By Mr. POCAN:
       H.J. Res. 25.
       Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant 
     to the following:
       Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuant 
     to Article I, Section 8, Clause 18 of the Constitution of the 
     United States, which states:
       The Congress shall have the power to make all laws which 
     shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the 
     foregoing powers, and all other powers vested by this 
     Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in 
     any Department or Officer thereof.''

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