Mr. LINDER. Madam Speaker, I’m
not sure we are going to settle that
violation question here today. But I’ll
yield 1 minute to the gentleman
from Texas (Mr. PAUL) to try.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Gentleman from Texas is recognized for 1 minute.
1998 Ron Paul 5:2
Madam Speaker, I rise in support of
this rule; and I support H.R. 2846, which
forbids the use of Federal funds to develop
or implement a national test
without explicit authorization from
Congress.
1998 Ron Paul 5:3
Supporters of protecting the United
States Constitution from overreaching
by the executive branch should support
this bill, as the administration’s plan to
develop and implement a national testing
program without Congressional authorization
is a blatant violation of the
constitutional doctrine of separation of
powers.
1998 Ron Paul 5:4
However, support of this bill should
in no way be interpreted to imply that
Congress has the power to authorize
national testing. Education is not one
of the powers delegated to the Federal
Government.
1998 Ron Paul 5:5
As the 9th and 10th Amendment
makes clear, the Federal Government
can only act in those areas where there
is an explicit delegation of power. Therefore, the Federal Government has
no legitimate authority to legislate in
this area of education. Rather, all matters
concerning education, including
testing, remain with those best able to
educate children: individual States,
local communities and, primarily, parents.
1998 Ron Paul 5:6
Mr. LINDER. I’ll be happy to yield an additional 30 seconds.
1998 Ron Paul 5:7
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Gentleman is recognized for an additional 30 seconds.
1998 Ron Paul 5:8
I therefore urge my colleagues to
vote for H.R. 2846 which stops the administration
from ultimately implementing
national tests and oppose all
legislation authorizing the creation of
a national test. Instead, this Congress
should work to restore control over
their children’s education to the American
people by shutting down the Federal
education bureaucracy and cutting
taxes on American parents so they may
better provide for the education of
their own children.
