Redstate

Posted at 1:32pm on Jun. 19, 2008 Enumerating the Power of Congress

By Erick

John Shadegg (R-AZ) and Tom Coburn (R-OK) are at it again on behalf of constitutional principles.

On a blogger call this afternoon, they announced that they are introducing into the House and Senate the Enumerated Powers Act; a worthy piece of legislation that will cause Congress to slow down and think before passing legislation. Nonetheless, the legislation is fatally flawed because of the length of the bill. At only two pages, the rest of the Congress is going to spend the next year looking for the other three thousand pages before considering it.

But should the legislation make its way through the legislative process and get to the President, the nation would be better off.

Introduced several times over the past few years by Congressman Shadegg, but never in the Senate, the Enumerated Powers Act (H.B. 1359) would require Congress specify, in each piece of legislation, which one of its Article I, Section 8 powers the Congress is using to legitimize the law.

Right now, many people think Congress has near plenary power under the "general welfare" clause of Article I. However, as James Madison, the author of the constitution, made clear, "With respect to the words general welfare, I have always regarded them as qualified by the detail of [enumerated] powers connected with them. To take them in a literal and unlimited sense would be a metamorphosis of the Constitution into a character which there is a host of proofs was not contemplated by its creators."

Likewise, even Thomas Jefferson noted that, "Congress has not unlimited powers to provide for the general welfare, but only those specifically enumerated.

Right now the legislation has 52 co-sponsors in the House and 23 in the Senate, the most it has ever had. No Democrats have signed on.

The GOP would be wise to make this a red meat issue for the base.

You can see an overview of the legislation here. The text is here.

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Posted at 12:15am on Feb. 22, 2008 John Shadegg Shall Return

He's back, thanks in part to you

By The Directors

Great leaders lead not because they seek power or privilege, but because the people and the times demand it.

John Shadegg was ready to hand in his sword and return home. But with his decision today, he has instead listened to the truly unprecedented voice of the people - his colleagues, his friends, and even those who disagree with his views but respect him - calling upon him to continue to serve the nation.

We at Redstate are glad John Shadegg saw fit to reconsider, and we will be happier still to have him leading in Congress in the critical days ahead.

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Posted at 1:35am on Feb. 20, 2008 Shadegg's Decision Pending

By Ben Domenech

Following the lead of more than 140 House members and leading conservative bloggers like our own Rob Bluey, conservative leaders from across the nation are urging John Shadegg to stay and fight on in a new letter, as reported by Michael Clancy of The Arizona Republic:

A group of 16 conservative leaders has joined the chorus of those asking John Shadegg to reconsider the decision to retire that Shadegg announced last week. The group, including David Keene of the American Conservative Union and Pat Toomey of the Club for Growth, tells Shadegg he has been “an inspiring leader on critical issues facing this country,” including health care and government spending.

The letter, sent Tuesday, echoes one sent last week from 145 congressional Republicans that prompted Shadegg give more thought to his retirement plans. Shadegg said Tuesday he hopes to reach a decision sometime Wednesday on the matter.

[snip]

Sean Noble, Shadegg's chief of staff, said the congressman was “stunned, humbled and flattered” by the attention.

“This is pretty significant,” Noble says. “He clearly sees the unprecedented nature of these letters, especially when 20 or so other Republicans announce their retirements and none of them is approached like this.”

Shadegg spent the weekend and Tuesday at home in Phoenix, talking to family members, friends and others about his decision.

We all know how much we wish we could have people like Don Nickles back in Washington in a time like this - here's hoping the Congressman decides soon, and decides to stay.

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Posted at 11:15pm on Feb. 15, 2008 A Plea to John Shadegg

Don't Retire, Congressman

By Bluey

Twenty-six Republicans are departing the House this year. Only one of them is being asked to stay. That either says something profound about the other 25 or something very special about that lone congressman.

Like my fellow contributors at RedState, I have great respect and appreciation for Rep. John Shadegg. After announcing his retirement earlier this week, Shadegg has faced a flurry of requests to reconsider. The pleas seem to be working. Shadegg will reportedly spend the weekend "pondering whether retirement is really the best thing."

The Arizona Republican has been on my radar from the time he served as chairman of the Republican Study Committee. I was proud to be part of the editorial board at Human Events that endorsed his candidacy for House majority leader in January 2006. We supported Shadegg again in November 2006 when he ran for House minority whip.

Although Shadegg failed to topple the Republican establishment on those occasions, he made a lasting contribution in both races as the candidate who stood for reform. In his first race, he denied Rep. Roy Blunt the top spot, paving the way for Rep. John Boehner to lead the GOP. Boehner brought with him a commitment to clean up Washington's wasteful spending habits -- a charge he keeps to this day. We have John Shadegg to thank.

The loss of Shadegg would be devastating for a party that's trying to return to the principles that propelled it to victory in 1994. Shadegg was part of that special class, and he's been a tireless advocate for fiscal discipline, smaller government, lower taxes, a strong national defense, returning power to the states, and greater personal freedom.

Today 145 members of Congress signed on to a letter urging Shadegg to reconsider. Another letter is in the works from the public policy community and conservative movement. I want to add my name to the list of those making a personal plea to Shadegg. He's a special congressman who has much to offer on many issues. Keep your fingers crossed that he changes his mind.

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Posted at 10:16pm on Feb. 14, 2008 Over 130 House Republicans sign letter asking conservative stalwart Shadegg not to retire

Hear our call - Don't Give Up the Fight

By The Directors

Earlier this week, we reacted to the announcement that John Shadegg was resigning from Congress with surprise and dismay. We have in the past endorsed Shadegg for the position of majority leader, and we consider him a leading voice for conservatism on Capitol Hill and in America.

Tonight, we were not surprised to learn that our high opinion of John Shadegg is shared by many on the Hill. According to multiple news reports, over half of the Republicans in the House signed the following letter in just the first two hours of its distribution, urging Shadegg to reconsider. We at Redstate wholeheartedly concur with those who circulated the letter - Reps. Pence, Hensarling, and Hoekstra - and with the other 130+ House GOPers' call for Mr. Shadegg to run for reelection and to remain in office. These are critical times for our nation, and Washington needs leaders of his caliber.

The text of the letter is below the fold. We encourage our readers to add their comments in support of John Shadegg, urging him to stay the course.

Read on.

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Posted at 3:24am on Feb. 13, 2008 On John Shadegg

A Brave Conservative Heads Home

By The Directors

There have been a number of retirements from the halls of Congress over the past few months, but we would be remiss if we did not pause to note the surprising retirement of Arizona Congressman John Shadegg.

Shadegg has been, without mincing words, a conservative hero since his election in 1994. He has fought the left as a consistent spokesman for the values that we espouse at Redstate, a brave leader against liberal statism across all fronts, and a forceful behind-the-scenes advocate for a consistent and courageous conservatism that is grounded in a strong understanding of human nature and what makes America great. For years, he has been a pitch-perfect note in the Southwest for the ideals we cherish as a community.

We have supported Shadegg in the past, including when he stood for a leadership post in 2006. For the first time since Redstate began, we cannot support him in this decision. We would, if we could, beg Shadegg to continue the work he began in 1994, with the insurgent spirit he never lost. We would, if we could, beg John McCain to follow the Dole '96 playbook and resign, opening up a Senate appointment for Shadegg to continue to serve. We would, if we could, beg John Shadegg to stay in Washington, and fight the good fight once more, until it is won.

Yet it seems his decision is made, and we must unfortunately deal with a House that is missing one truly great warrior for the cause.

As for replacements: We know Rep. Shadegg's Chief of Staff, Sean Noble, to be a smart, dedicated, and particularly adept conservative. We hope that he will consider throwing his hat into the ring to replace the man he has served so well. And we hope that in any case, John Shadegg will remain an active leader of the conservative movement in the years to come. We wish him and his family Godspeed, and only the best for their future, with lasting thanks for his many years of honorable service to the country he loves.

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