Rep. Bob Goodlatte Preaches Constitution, Unsure About Constitutional Issues (VIDEO)

Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) seems to be a big fan of constitutional history, even if his own legislative history hasn't always lived up to that document.

On Thursday, he'll lead a reading of the Constitution on the House floor -- a first, according to his website. Goodlatte is using the opportunity to demonstrate that, "The new majority in the House truly is dedicated to our Constitution and the principles for which is stands."

But an appearance on "The Last Word" with Lawrence O'Donnell may have shown that such dedication was lacking in the past. On Tuesday, Goodlatte came on the program to discuss his symbolic reading, and also played up the fact that the "we have, as a part of our new rules of the House, a requirement that all bills introduced in the Congress state the basis in the Constitution -- the section of the Constitution -- upon which that introducer of the bill relies in introducing it."

O'Donnell asked Goodlatte for the current Supreme Court justice who "most reflects" his own reading of the Constitution. After Goodlatte heaped praise on Antonin Scalia and indicated that legislation should stick within the framework of the Constitution, O'Donnell pointed out that Scalia had been part of a 7-2 majority that rulled Goodlatte's own internet censorship bill unconstitutional.

Reasonable parties can disagree, of course. Goodlatte noted that requiring bills to explain their constitutionality would at least get that debate started and help Representatives to consider the issue.

Among the biggest beneficiaries of the new rule? Maybe Goodlatte.

The congressman told O'Donnell that he has not looked into the constitutionality of the minimum wage, despite voting to increase it.

The host pressed, "You voted for an increase in something that you don't even know has constitutional authority to exist?"

"That's correct," Goodlatte admitted.

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Comments

[booker52]

09:06 AM on 01/07/2011

Crap for brains

[Lisa Shields]

08:03 AM on 01/07/2011

What's the fuss?
I'm sure he saw the movie.
Or the made for television special.
Or was it Cliff notes?

You surely don't expect him to read every little piece of paper that comes across his desk?

[Sa jiao mao]

03:55 AM on 01/07/2011

I can't stop laughing. Mr. O'Donnell, rock on.

[CommonSentz]

12:20 AM on 01/07/2011

Most of these Teapublicans don't even realize that the Constitution established a strong centralized government at the expense of states' rights--along with the provision to be able to raise revenue through taxes and fees.

They may have read the Constitution today in the House chamber, but they certainly didn't hear what it said--at least those that bothered to be there for the reading.

[Nel Pineda]

11:32 PM on 01/06/2011

If the rethugs will continue to require that all bills proposed must satisfy the constitutions then that is good. Then they too will not be able to proposed any LAW. Including repeal of health care. Oh I'm sorry, it slipped my coconut. Rethugs are are hypocrites!

[Christian Troy]

11:30 PM on 01/06/2011

That was awesome. Lawrence just easily demonstrated what a bunch of fools we have in the new congress.

[Cthulhu On Call]

09:18 PM on 01/06/2011

That is correct Mr. O'Donnell, I'm currently high on drugs...

[mmike1969]

08:46 PM on 01/06/2011

I've said this before: Big difference in READING the US Constitution and understanding the words in the US Constitution.
Then there is the part where the gross old party/tea-baggers ignore parts of the US Constitution they don't like...

[ritenow]

08:41 PM on 01/06/2011

Is it me or did the Congressman turn more red by the end of this interview?

[ropadopa]

10:23 PM on 01/06/2011

No it just wasn't you. The obvious lunacy in his reasoning overwhelmed him and he became flushed with embarrassment as the interview progressed.

[mydoglucky]

08:11 PM on 01/06/2011

No one, I mean, no one can go toe to toe with Lawrence O'Donnell and look good. Ok, so I have a little crush on him. I admit it.

[Kamen Gullberg]

08:45 PM on 01/06/2011

I like that he turns it around on them with simple facts and logic. Can't escape his web of intelligence, especially if one is loaded with bu!!$h!t like politicians tend to be.

[BeltwayBandit]

07:57 PM on 01/06/2011

It appears Lawrence O'donnell is living up the name of his show. That one one heck of a Last Word. Goodlatte fell for the trap and got burned.

[separatingwheatfromchaff]

07:49 PM on 01/06/2011

Isn't it time to go back to his Starbucks job,goodlatte could lead to the barista position where he'll shine.

[MarsAmbassador]

04:20 PM on 01/06/2011

Yes, let's all be strict originalists, taking the position of 'everything facing us in this current world was predicted and provisioned for by the Framers'. Well, if that's the case then lets bring back slavery, make blacks less than a person, take away the women's vote and end all surveillance that extends beyond hand-written letters and carrier pigeons. For starters. And what are their positions on the Bill of Rights? I think the Patriot Act and just about everything conservatives have said and done since then shows their disdain for the Amendments. You've got Rand Paul who wants to claw back the Civil Rights Act, Scalia saying women aren't protected from discrimination, the Arizona immigration mess, the denying of many key freedoms in the not-a-mosque-not-at-Ground-Zero mess, California's Prop 8, etc.

When they way they want to take their country back, don't always assume they mean 1783. They could also mean back to 500BC so we can live under desert wandering Old Testament laws.

"Some of my opponents do not want to change the Constitution, but I believe it's a lot easier to change the Constitution than it would be to change the word of the living God, and that's what we need to do is to amend the Constitution so it's in God's standards rather than try to change God's standards."
- Mike Huckabee

[Trapster]

05:03 PM on 01/06/2011

Most especially the Patriot Act!

[floridafun]

06:09 PM on 01/06/2011

yeah...they were very selective with their reading. nothing that is now changed by law was included in the reading. such as the many items you reference. partial read in my opinion. f&f!

[Nardwilly]

04:09 PM on 01/06/2011

Promote the general welfare is reason all laws are passed.

[ropadopa]

10:25 PM on 01/06/2011

I adore the Commerce Clause and the right to privacy. Between them both I get quite the tingle.

[CAdawn]

04:00 PM on 01/06/2011

They have to find something in the Constitution before they introduce a bill? This should be good :) I'll bring the popcorn.