Read the 20th Amendment: New Republican Senators Violating US Constitution

[Joanne98]

A handful of newly elected Republican US Senators have written to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid trying to undo the constitutional authority of other elected incumbent US Senators.

That's right. Even the so-called strict constitutionalist Rand Paul is engaged in lobbying that would impose illegal burdens on incumbent elected representatives violating the word and spirit of the United States Constitution.

According to the 20th Amendment to the US Constitution, the respective terms of US Senators and US Representatives ends at noon on January 3rd.

Amendment XX
Passed by Congress March 2, 1932. Ratified January 23, 1933.

Note: Article I, section 4, of the Constitution was modified by section 2 of this amendment. In addition, a portion of the 12th amendment was superseded by section 3.

Section 1.
The terms of the president and the vice president shall end at noon on the 20th day of January, and the terms of Senators and Representatives at noon on the 3rd day of January, of the years in which such terms would have ended if this article had not been ratified; and the terms of their successors shall then begin.

Section 2.
The Congress shall assemble at least once in every year, and such meeting shall begin at noon on the 3rd day of January, unless they shall by law appoint a different day.


Senators "elect" Roy Blunt (R-MO), Ron Johnson (R-WI), Rob Portman (R-OH), Rand Paul (R-KY) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) have written to Senator Reid stating, as reported by Joshua Rogin:

On Election Day we were elected to represent the constituents of our respective states in the Senate. Out of respect for our states' voters, we believe it would be improper for the Senate to consider the New START Treaty or any other treaty in a lame duck session prior to January 3, 2011.
Too bad guys!

You are not yet elected and the incumbent Senators seating in seats they "won" previously have all the powers embedded in their positions until 12 noon, January 3rd.

Your efforts to impose your will beforehand are extralegal, irresponsible, and unconstitutional.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/steve-clemons/read-the-20th-amendment-n_b_785360.html

[liberal N proud]

1. This underlines the whole situation in this country - We want it all and we want it now

This nation has become fixated on instant gratification from our purchases all the way up to our expectation with elected officials.

The economy didn't turn around fast enough so the voters threw out those who were correcting the problems created by the previous regime only to return that party to power. :wtf:

Obama's approval rating dropped because he didn't accomplish ALL of his campaign promises in the first 6 months in office. :wtf:

And now the newly elected officials can't get in their new offices until the Constitution says they can and want it changed. :wtf:


There was a song with the lyrics: "I want it all and I want it now" that completely describes America today.


Hope you all got your pony!

[DatManFromNawlins]

2. I don't think you understand what "constitutional" means

[rfranklin]

3. Well, perhaps you can educate us since you are...

so wekll versed in Constitutional law?

[FarrenH]

4. Um, they didn't violate the constitution?

Requesting something isn't violating the consitution. Attempting to enforce it might be. But not requesting it.

[LiberalFighter]

5. In the words of John Boehner.

Reid should say "HELL NO WE WON'T"!!

[Phx_Dem]

6. Or just "Go fuck yourselves."