Denny Rehberg: “yesterday, I introduced the Private Property Protection Act, a companion bill to legislation in the Senate designed to…”

“yesterday, I introduced the Private Property Protection Act, a companion bill to legislation in the Senate designed to correct the erroneous decision made by the Supreme Court on June 23. That decision redefined the Constitution's fifth amendment. That decision, Kelo v. City of New London, was a slap in the face of homeowners, small businesses, and, frankly, Americans. Ordinary private property owners stand to suffer from the corrupting influence this sweeping legislation will have because government officials, because government officials can aggressively use the powers of eminent domain purely for economic reasons. Our legislation establishes two important standards that must be met before government decides to exercise its power and take and transfer private property. The first standard is that eminent domain should only be used for public use, as guaranteed by the fifth amendment. The second is that this power should be reserved only for true public uses, not simply to provide private economic development so government can make more tax revenue. Let us stop the abuse of eminent domain before it happens. I urge the Members of this body to support this very necessary piece of legislation. ____________________”