John Doolittle: “everyone remembers the schoolyard bully who pushed the smaller kids around and took their lunch money just because he…”

“everyone remembers the schoolyard bully who pushed the smaller kids around and took their lunch money just because he was bigger and stronger. Bullying wasn't okay in elementary school and it isn't okay now, especially when it comes in the form of a U.S. Supreme Court decision. In Kelo v. City of New London, the Supreme Court empowered the government to seize private property, including someone's own home or place of worship, and transfer it to another private owner as long as the transfer would provide an economic benefit to the community. Simply put, the Supreme Court has given government the broad power to seize private property for any use, so long as it generates tax revenue. Tomorrow, the House will take up H.R. 4128, the Private Property Rights Protection Act, in an attempt to prevent the abuses the Court has allowed by its decision in the Kelo case. The bill prohibits States and localities from receiving any Federal economic development funds if these entities abuse their power of eminent domain. This action is an appropriate use of Congress' spending power and will prevent homeowners, churches, and small businesses from being forced to give up their private property simply because it is not generating the maximum possible tax revenue. ____________________”