Democrats unconstitutional, possibly criminal, Farm Bill shenanigans

Based on a few minutes of Congressional testimony by Doc Hastings (R-WA) that I saw this morning, it appears that the Democratic leadership in Congress is yet again violating old and fundamental rules of government and acting unconstitutionally in their shameless pursuit of passing legislation regardless of Republican views (and even when the majority of Republicans had supported something.)

In particular, it appears that the Farm Bill which Nancy Pelosi signed and sent to the President was missing an entire section on trade. (Title III of the law.) Then, apparently with full knowledge of the Democratic leadership, they put that bill...missing that important section...up for a veto override vote last night. The Constitution requires, and the Supreme Court has ruled, that in order for a bill to become law, the bill which the President signs must have been passed in identical form by both houses of Congress and sent to him in that same identical form. Although the missing section may have been an oversight, it is hard to imagine that someone in the Democratic leadership didn't know they sent the bill missing that section to the President, and it seems certain, based on Hasting's words on the House floor this morning, that they knew they were breaking the rules (or breaking the law) when they brought that incorrect bill back to the floor for a veto override vote.

Now that they have been exposed, House Democrats are proposing to say that they can pass any bill related to agriculture without having to adhere to House rules!

This is truly incredible, though in character with Pelosi, Hoyer, and company, who were recently the subject of hearings for an apparently illegal maneuver on a vote some months ago.

Citizens should use this opportunity to lean hard on their representatives, especially Republicans, to refuse to vote to over-ride President Bush's veto of the bloated, outrageous farm bill which gives subsidies to rich farmers at a time of record food prices.

Republicans in particular need to learn that if they support this worst sort of pork, they (the incumbents in particular) deserve an electoral beating which would make 2006 look kind. As a strong supporter of liberty, limited government, and respect for the Constitution, all GOP supporters of the Farm Bill should be voted out and replaced with true fiscal conservatives like Bob Schaffer.

Cross-posted at Rossputin.com

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