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House Republicans Launch New 10th Amendment Task Force
Task Force Seeks to Restore the Constitutional Balance of Power Through Federalism

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Washington, May 6 - Today, Republican Study Committee (RSC) Chairman Tom Price (R-GA), Congressman Rob Bishop (R-UT) and nine other Republican Members of Congress officially launched the newly formed 10th Amendment Task Force, a project of the RSC.  The Task Force will develop and promote proposals that aim to disperse power, decision-making, and money from Washington back to states, local governments, and individuals.  

The Task Force was created in response to the public outcry over the concentration of power and the one-size-fits-all solutions from Washington.  More than ever, Americans are expressing frustration at having important facets of their lives controlled by a government that is out of reach and out of touch.  Among other things, the Task Force will focus on educating Congress and the public about federalism, elevating federalism as a core Republican focus and monitoring threats to 10th Amendment principles.

Rep. Tom Price, Chairman of the Republican Study Committee (GA-06): “Our Founding Fathers understood the danger of amassing broad powers in the federal government at the expense of individual liberty.  The 10 co-founders and all members of this task force should be commended for taking the initiative to champion the cause of Federalism and its vital role in our Republic.”

Rep. Rob Bishop (UT-01), Founder of the Task Force: “This is not yesterday’s states’ rights argument.  It’s much bigger than that.  This is about better governance and breaking up big, inefficient, unresponsive government-returning power back to the people of this country.”

Rep. John Culberson (TX-07) co-founder:  “The Task Force was formed to uphold the principle that the will of the people is best served at the state and local levels, and that the federal government should not interfere in matters that are fully within the purview of the states.”

Rep. Randy Neugebauer (TX-19) co-founder:  “We have strayed too far from the principles of our Founders. This Task Force will be key in monitoring the further erosion of powers that traditionally belong to the states and the voices of the American people, not the federal government.”

Rep. Doug Lamborn (CO-05) co-founder: “Americans are outraged with the federal government’s ever increasing intrusion into our lives. This intrusion comes in the form of burdensome regulations, taxes, and unfunded mandates. I reject this one-size-fits-all approach coming from Washington because it doesn’t work. I am calling for a return to what the Constitution outlines as a limited role for the federal government and more rights to the states.”  

Rep. Cynthia Lummis (WY-At large) co-founder: “We in Wyoming value our independent way of life and frontier spirit. We don’t take kindly to Washington bureaucrats telling us how to live our lives. We need to limit the power of federal bureaucrats and give it back to states and individuals. That is what our founders envisioned, our Constitution requires and what our constituents want.”

Rep. Mike Conaway (TX-11) co-founder: “Supporting the 10th Amendment is not a partisan issue. It is about respecting the boundaries placed on the federal government by the U.S. Constitution. It is my hope that through the Tenth Amendment Task Force, Members on both sides of the aisle will be better educated on our founders’ vision for America.”

Rep. Scott Garrett (NJ-05) co-founder: "The principles they secured in the Constitution should be the guide for every action the government undertakes.  Unfortunately, the Federal government has crept into many facets of once locally controlled areas and, in many instances, the Federal judiciary has ignored the intent of federalism. That’s why I am happy to join with my fellow members in ushering in this “New Era of Federalism” to alter the government’s operation and influence on the daily lives of its citizens."

Rep. Jason Chaffetz (UT-03) co-founder: “Successful federal government by its very nature should be focused and limited. Washington cannot possibly develop solutions that are the best fit for all 50 states. Each state has its own unique priorities, demographics, economy, strengths and weaknesses. That’s why we need to allow states to have more control over policy making and implementation.”

Rep. Tom McClintock (CA-04) co-founder: “The ultimate check upon an abusive or dysfunctional government is the ability of people to walk away from it.  By limiting the federal government to those enumerated powers that serve a truly national objective, our constitution disperses the remaining powers among 50 states and a hundred fold more communities.  Those states that are governed unwisely naturally lose population and commerce to those that are governed well.”



Original “10” co-founders of the 10th Amendment Task Force:
 
1.   Rob Bishop (UT-01)
2.   Marsha Blackburn (TN-07)
3.   Jason Chaffetz (UT-03)
4.   Michael Conaway (TX-11)
5.   John Culberson (TX–07)
6.   Scott Garrett (NJ-05)
7.   Doug Lamborn (CO-05)
8.   Cynthia Lummis (WY-At large)
9.   Tom McClintock (CA-04)