!!!

[richardf8]

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d108:HR03920:@@@L&summ2=m&

A Bill has been introduced to allow congress to reverse the decisions of the Supreme Court. So much for separation of powers!

Comments

Should Congress be able to override the Presidential Veto?

[grassyneal.livejournal.com]

The Constitution says that the Supreme Court shall have original jurisdiction over some cases, and appellate jurisdiction over other cases, with exceptions that the Congress shall make (article 3, section 2).

What this bill seems to do is to make this latent power more manifest, in the same fashion that the Congress may override a presidential veto if two thirds of each house of Congress wills it (article 1, section 7).

I'm much more worried about one president or five Supreme Court justices running amok with the Constitution than I am with three hundred fifty-eight senators and representatives agreeing to act in concert against our interests.

Re: Should Congress be able to override the Presidential Veto?

[richardf8]

Well, the fact that the proposal would require a supermajority in both houses to override a supreme court ruling is something of a small comfort.

However, the language with which this bill has been introduced, and the reasons given for its introduction strike me as being designed to find a way to sacrifice individual freedoms protected by the courts on the altar of the tyranny of the majority.