17th Amendment

The GOP's New Constitutional Amendment: Give States Veto Power Over Federal Laws

Evan McMorris-Santoro and Ryan J. Reilly | May 11, 2011, 4:50PM

Republicans say they've found the problem in America -- and that problem is the basic framework of the Union as we know it today.

A group of Republicans in the House and Senate are proposing an amendment to the Constitution that would allow a vote by two-thirds of the states' legislatures to override any federal law they did not agree with.

The proposed constitutional amendment, a tea party favorite, is being touted by Sen. Mike Enzi (R-WY) in the Senate and co-sponsored by Sens. John Barasso (R-WY) and Orrin Hatch (R-UT). In the House, Reps. Rob Bishop (R-UT), Morgan Griffith (R-VA) and Paul Broun (R-GA) are leading the charge.

The goal, according to proponents, is to stop the tyranny of Washington over the economy and circumscribe other federal powers.

Read more »

PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)
Topics: 17th Amendment, Constitution, John Barrasso, Mike Enzi, Morgan Griffith, Nullification, Orrin Hatch, Paul Broun, Rob Bishop

Health Care

GOP Rep: Virginia Didn't Accept George III, Won't Accept Obamacare (VIDEO)

Eric Kleefeld | January 20, 2011, 11:46AM

Hmm, somebody didn't get the civility memo.

During yesterday's House debate on repealing health care reform, one freshman Republican offered a fun example of the rhetoric on the right, comparing the policies of the elected Obama administration and previously elected Democratic Congress to oppressive regimes of times past.

"As Virginians, we did not accept the chains of George III," said Rep. Morgan Griffith (R-VA). "Nor will we accept the chains of Obamacare."

Read more »

PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)
Topics: Health Care, Morgan Griffith, VA-09

2010 elections

Two Virginia Dems Go Down -- And It Could Get Worse

Eric Kleefeld | November 2, 2010, 8:56PM

It's looking like a bloodbath tonight for Virginia Democrats, with two incumbent Congressmen already going down to defeat -- and possibly more on the way.

The Associated Press reports that Democratic Rep. Rick Boucher of VA-09, who was first elected in 1982, has lost re-election to Republican Morgan Griffith in this southwest Virginia district, after many years of its voters splitting their ticket between Boucher and Republican candidates.

Meanwhile, freshman Democratic Rep. Tom Perriello (D) of VA-05, who upset Republican incumbent Virgil Goode in 2008, has lost to Republican Robert Hurt.

That's not all: Two other freshman Dems, Glenn Nye and Gerry Connolly, both of whom picked up seats from the Republicans in 2008, are currently trailing in their seats. With 44% of precincts reporting in VA-02, Nye trails Republican Scott Rigell by 53%-43%. In VA-11, Connolly trails his 2008 Republican opponent Keith Fimian by a narrower 50%-48%, with 30% of precincts reporting.

Late Update: ABC and CBS have called VA-02 for Rigell. That's three Democrats losing in Virginia, with a possible fourth on the way.

PERMALINK | COMMENTS | RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)
Topics: 2010 elections, Gerry Connolly, Glenn Nye, House '10, Keith Fimian, Morgan Griffith, Rick Boucher, Robert Hurt, Scott Rigell, Tom Perriello, VA-02, VA-05, VA-09, VA-11