Senate Judiciary Chairman Unable to Explain Where Congress Gets Authority for In

[Chris_]

Senate Judiciary Chairman Unable to Explain Where Congress Gets Authority for Individual Insurance Mandate

(CNSNews.com) – Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) could not explain what part of the Constitution grants Congress the power to force every American to buy health insurance – as all of the health care overhaul bills currently do.
 
Leahy, whose committee is responsible for vetting Supreme Court nominees, was asked by CNSNews.com where in the Constitution Congress is specifically granted the authority to require every American purchase health insurance. Leahy answered by saying that “nobody questions” Congress’ authority for such an action.
 
CNSNews.com: Where, in your opinion, does the Constitution give specific authority for Congress to give an individual mandate for health insurance?
 
Sen. Leahy: We have plenty of authority. Are you saying there is no authority?
 
CNSNews.com: I’m asking –
 
Sen. Leahy: Why would you say there is no authority? I mean, there’s no question there’s authority, nobody questions that.
 
When CNSNews.com again attempted to ask which provision of the Constitution gives Congress the authority to force Americans to purchase health insurance, Leahy compared the mandate to the government’s ability to set speed limits on interstate highways – before turning and walking away.

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Leahy is chairman of the Senate Judiciary committee, but cannot explain a simple constitutional question.  WTH???

[thundley4]

If he had talked to Steny Hoyer, then he would know the authority comes from the "general welfare clause".  I thought that was in the preamble, though.

[SSG Snuggle Bunny]

"Shut-up!" he explained.