Post by Cobra on May 19, 2009 21:07:30 GMT -5
May 19, 7:03 PM EDT
By SEANNA ADCOX
Associated Press Writer
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- Conservative groups called on South Carolina legislators Tuesday to pass a measure that declares the state has the right to ignore any federal law or policies it deems unconstitutional.
Republican legislators say they want to send a message to Washington that the federal government is overstepping its bounds, from gun control to the No Child Left Behind education accountability law. Democrats contend it's a partisan issue directed at the federal stimulus package, and the measure will have no practical effect.
The bill notes the 10th Amendment in the U.S. Constitution gives all powers not delegated to the federal government to states. It would be sent to President Barack Obama, congressional leaders and South Carolina's delegation.
About two dozen residents from limited-government groups - some carrying sleeping bags - threatened to camp out at the Statehouse until senators approve the measure. The House passed a similar resolution in February.
"We feel our legislators are failing us," said Harry Kibler, state director of The Patriotic Resistance.
Sen. Phil Leventis called the debate a "silly waste of time" that Congress will disregard. With just two days left in session, "here we are today debating whether or not we're going to ask Congress to obey the law," said the Sumter Democrat. "I bet they would open their junk e-mails before they open this."
Following hours of debate, the Senate adjourned without voting on the measure. No sleeping bags were rolled out, but the advocates vowed to return Wednesday.
"States must assert their right from time to time or be relegated to administrative units of the federal government," said Jim Hanks, of Lexington, with the 9-12 Project.
Similar resolutions have been introduced in dozens of states across the nation. A handful of Republican-leaning states have approved the measure, while three states have rejected it, said Michael Boldin, founder of the Los Angeles-based Tenth Amendment Center.
He contends it should not be a partisan measure, noting the first resolution was proposed in mid-2008 to bring attention to bailouts and other actions taken by President Bush.
"If it's just political posturing," it won't have any affect, he said.
