Andy Harris: “earlier today I was proud to cast a firm vote in support of the Private Property Rights Protection Act. While this…”

“earlier today I was proud to cast a firm vote in support of the Private Property Rights Protection Act. While this measure will not reverse the Supreme Court's mind-boggling 5-4 decision in the Kelo v. New London case, it will ensure that American taxpayers will not have their hard-earned dollars used in its support. No State or locality shall be permitted to employ the power of eminent domain to seize private property in the name of economic development. In addition, the bill will grant appropriate access to State and Federal courts for those who seek justice and remedy for any nonmeritorious seizure of their property. There is no question that Americans do not wish to shirk their responsibility to take care of their community through support for measures which serve the public good. However, most do not view fulfillment of this obligation as necessitating a forfeiture of their fundamental rights. Few rights are as central to the foundation of our great Nation as is the right of control over one's private property. As James Madison laid out in the Federalist Papers, private property rights lie at the foundation of our Constitution: ``Government is instituted no less for the protection of property than of the persons of individuals.'' Madison's declaration was echoed by Justice William Paterson in Vanhorne's Lessee v.…”