1997 Ron Paul 23:1
Mr. PAUL.
Mr. Chairman, unfortunately for this country, few Members of the 105th Congress have received word that the era of big government is over. While I rise today in opposition to passage of H.R. 867, The Adoption Promotion Act, I could be referring to any number of bills already passed by this Congress.
1997 Ron Paul 23:2
As a medical doctor, I share with other Members of Congress the strong distaste for the needless suffering of helpless, displaced, and orphaned children. As a U.S. Congressman, I remain committed to returning the Federal Government to its proper constitutional role. Fortuitously, these two convictions are not incongruous.
1997 Ron Paul 23:3
This country’s founders recognized the genius of separating power amongst Federal, State, and local governments as a means to protect the rights of citizens, maximize individual liberty, and make government most responsive to those persons who might most responsibly influence it. This constitutionally mandated separation of powers strictly limited the role of the Federal Government and, at the same time, anticipated that matters of family law would be dealt with at the State or local level.
1997 Ron Paul 23:4
Legislating in direct opposition to these constitutional principles, H.R. 867 would impose additional and numerous Federal mandates upon the States; appropriate $138 million over the next 5 years to be paid to States that obediently follow Federal mandates; and further expand the duties of the Health and Human Services Department to include monitoring the performance of States in matters of family law.
1997 Ron Paul 23:5
Even as a practical matter, I remain convinced that the best interests of children are optimally served to redirecting tax dollars— which under this legislation would be sent to Washington in an attempt to nationalize child adoption procedures and standards—to private charities or State and local child advocacy organizations.
1997 Ron Paul 23:6
For each of these reasons, I oppose passage of H.R. 867, the Adoption Promotion Act.
Note:
1997 Ron Paul Chapter 23
The title of this chapter was editorially supplied by the webmaster. The text of this chapter was inserted in CongressionalRecord as an extension of remarks, and not spoken on the House floor.
