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Conyers' Statement Regarding Legal Basis of Health Care Reform

Congressman John Conyers

For Immediate Release
March 24, 2010
Contact: Nicole Triplett

As Chairman Conyers correctly stated recently, "several" clauses of the Constitution authorize Congress to enact the landmark healthcare legislation. When he referred to the "good and welfare" clause, he was in fact referring to Article 1, section 8, clause 1 of the Constitution, which specifically grants Congress the authority to tax and spend to provide for the "general welfare" of the United States.

Other parts of the Constitution that Chairman Conyers was referring to and that provide authority to Congress, as recognized by numerous legal scholars, include Congress’ explicit authority under the Constitution to regulate activities that have a substantial effect on interstate commerce (Article 1, section 8, clause 3) and to make all laws that are "necessary and proper" to carry out its authority (article 1, section 8, clause 18).

 

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