Sheila Jackson Lee: “You are absolutely right. This is a constitutional question that has been raised, and as I came to the floor earlier, I…”

“You are absolutely right. This is a constitutional question that has been raised, and as I came to the floor earlier, I mentioned my predecessor, Congresswoman Jordan, who believed in this Constitution without question. I mentioned the 14th Amendment. I now mention the Fifth Amendment. First of all the commerce clause covers this bill, but the Fifth Amendment speaks specifically to denying someone their life and liberty without due process. That is what H.R. 2 does, and I rise in opposition to it. And I rise in opposition because it is important that we preserve lives and we recognize that 40 million plus are uninsured. In my own county, Harris County, this bill will allow some 800,000 uninsured members of Harris County, citizens of Harris County, to be insured in Texas. In addition, the Texas Department of Insurance, as many other States, have already begun implementing this bill, the patient protection bill, gladly so, and saying it will help save lives and provide for the families of their States. Can you tell me what is more unconstitutional than taking away from the people of America their Fifth Amendment rights, their 14th Amendment rights, and the right to equal protection under the law?”