Reaffirmation of American Independence Resolution

REAFFIRMATION OF AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE RESOLUTION -- (House of Representatives - March 14, 2005)

(Ms. FOXX asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)

Ms. FOXX. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to ask my colleagues to join me in co-sponsoring House Resolution 97, the Reaffirmation of American Independence Resolution.

We have a serious problem with our country's judicial systemic. Oftentimes judges will cite foreign laws when interpreting the United States Constitution and our other laws. This happened earlier this month when the Supreme Court cited international rulings and opinions in its decision to abolish the death penalty for juveniles.

Foreign laws and the beliefs of foreign governments should have no bearing whatsoever when it comes to interpreting American laws. Judges who take these outside opinions into account are legislating from the bench and abandoning their duty to interpret the U.S. Constitution.

It is time we hold our judges accountable for their actions. The Reaffirmation of American Independence Resolution states that judicial decisions should not be based on any foreign laws, court decisions or pronouncements of foreign governments. I strongly urge my colleagues to support this very important resolution.

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