Max Baucus: “I rise to support S. 1, the Unfunded Mandate Reform Act of 1995. This bill will strengthen the partnership between the…”

“I rise to support S. 1, the Unfunded Mandate Reform Act of 1995. This bill will strengthen the partnership between the Federal and State government. That, in turn, will help us all do a better job protecting public safety and public health. Background When the Framers of the Constitution met in Philadelphia, federalism was not an abstract theory. It was a practical necessity. During the period of the Articles of Confederation, the Framers had experienced, first hand, the chaos that occurs when there is no strong Federal Government to bind people together and address matters of fundamental national interest. At the same time, the Framers understood that, in most cases, State government, close to the people, governs best. So the Framers enhanced the Federal Government's authority in certain areas. But, in the 10th amendment, they provided that "the powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people." This system established a partnership. However, over the last few decades, the partnership has been weakened.”