WASHINGTON, DC – The United States House of Representatives today passed a measure to curtail the misuse of eminent domain and the taking of property from private citizens. The bill was cosponsored by Congressman Akin (R-MO) in the wake of the shocking Kelo decision by the U.S. Supreme Court that allowed the taking of homes and private property for development and profit by private interests.
The Private Property Rights Protection Act of 2005 passed by a vote of 376 to 38. The Act states that the federal government is prohibited from using its eminent domain power for economic development, and states and localities will lose federal economic development funds if they do so.
“The taking of private property to be given to private interests for economic gain flies in the face of basic American values and jeopardizes the American Dream,” said Akin. “As Thomas Jefferson once said, ‘the right to procure property and to use it for one’s own enjoyment is essential to the freedom of every person, and our other rights would mean little without these rights of property ownership.’”
“Although the U.S. Constitution allows the taking of land for public use when just compensation is made, the decision in Kelo to allow the taking of private property to give to corporations and developers for the economic gain of private interests is a hijacking of the fifth amendment and epitomizes the dangers of an activist court,” said Akin. “I am proud to have cosponsored this measure to uphold the sacred right of citizens to own and enjoy private property.”
