Sport Betting Case Before SCOTUS has Tenth Amendment Ramifications

Last week, the Supreme Court heard testimony on a case that could reinvigorate the Tenth Amendment of the Constitution. Surprisingly, it’s all about football and sports betting in the State of New Jersey. The results of Governor of New Jersey v. National Collegiate Athletic Association may have consequences for a range of issues, including gun…

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Missouri Bill Would Close Federal Asset Forfeiture Loophole in Most Cases

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Dec. 8, 2017) – A bill prefiled in the Missouri House would close a loophole in most situations that allows state and local police to circumvent stringent state asset forfeiture laws by passing cases off to the feds. Rep. Shamed Dogan (R-St. Louis) prefiled House Bill 1501 (HB1501) on Dec. 5. The…

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Missouri Bill Would Eliminate Marriage Licenses, Nullify Federal Control in Practice

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (Dec. 8, 2017)  A bill prefiled in the Missouri House would replace marriage licenses in the state with “contracts of domestic union,” effectively nullifying in practice both major sides of the contentious national debate over government-sanctioned marriage. Rep. T.J. Berry prefiled House Bill 1434 (HB1434) this month. The legislation would amend current marriage-related…

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Today in History: The End of the “Declaration of War” as Required by the Constitution

Although the U.S. has been involved in many wars since then, World War II was the last time Congress declared war, as required by the Constitution (a 2nd declaration was passed on June 5, 1942 against Bulgaria, Hungary, and Romania).

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Message to Jeff Sessions: The 10th Amendment is Valid Too!

So once again, Jeff Sessions has proven that he’s no friend to the Constitution. Earlier today, ABC news released a video exchange obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request. In it, a DOJ intern asked him why he’s supposedly so lax on gun control laws, but still wanted to aggressively enforce marijuana prohitibion. In…

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Michigan Committee Passes Bill to Ban “Material Support or Resources” for Warrantless Federal Surveillance

LANSING, Mich. (Dec. 7, 2017) – On Tuesday, a Michigan House committee unanimously passed a bill that would ban “material support or resources” for warrantless federal surveillance programs. This represents an essential step states need to take at a time when the federal government seems unlikely to ever end its own spying. Rep. Martin Howrylak (R-Troy)…

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Warning: TSA Facial Recognition Plan Likely to Become Part of Growing Biometric Surveillance System

WASHINGTON (Dec. 6, 2017) – The federal government plans to use a TSA program advertised as a way to avoid lines at airport security checkpoints to harvest photos and other biometric information that will ultimately end up in multiple federal databases. The TSA touts its PreCheck program as a way to avoid the hassle of…

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The President and Obstruction of Justice (Again)

In the New York Times, Saikrishna Prakash and John Yoo: Don’t Prosecute Trump. Impeach Him. As to prosecution, they argue: The Constitution imposes on the president the duty to “take care that the laws be faithfully executed,” which vests the authority to oversee all federal law enforcement. As Alexander Hamilton observed in Federalist 70, “good government”…

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Local Alabama Media Picks Up TAC Talking Points on Gold and Silver Taxes

Last month, a reporter with the Anniston Star in Alabama interviewed me about a bill prefiled in the Alabama House for 2018 that would exempt the purchase of gold and silver bullion from state sales and use tax, encouraging its use and taking the first step toward breaking the Federal Reserve’s monopoly on money. I could tell…

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New Wisconsin Hemp Law Relies on Federal Permission, Could Go Much Further

MADISON, Wisc. (Dec. 6, 2017) – Last Thursday, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker signed a bill into law legalizing hemp cultivation for research purposes only in compliance with federal law. The new law could lay a foundation to eventually expand the hemp market in the state, and with further action, could set the stage for nullification…

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