House Republicans and Democrats plan to take part in a ceremonial reading of the Constitution on Thursday that the new GOP majority hopes will resonate with its base as it tries to uproot portions of President Obama’s agenda.
Robert W. Goodlatte, R-Va., took the lead in organizing the bipartisan event, which has stirred enthusiasm mainly among Republicans, and somewhat reluctant support from Democrats, some of whom have called it political theater.
“There will probably be more than 100” members participating in the reading, Goodlatte said, adding “We hope to have parity” between the two parties.
Members have been asked to show up on the House floor around 10:30 a.m. to take part in reading portions of the document on a first-come-first-served basis. The reading is expected to take several hours.
Goodlatte said Speaker John A. Boehner, R-Ohio, would read the preamble and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., the first section of Article 1. Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va., and Minority Whip Steny H. Hoyer, D-Md., would split the reading of the second section of Article 1, he said.
The reading aligns with priorities of tea party activists who helped propel the GOP to victory in the November election.
Republicans argue that Obama and congressional Democrats have been violating the Constitution by intruding on the rights of states and individuals with mandates under the health care overhaul (PL 111-148, PL 111-152) and with potentially restrictive regulations on greenhouse gases that the EPA could impose.
Democrats counter that such ambitious initiatives merely comply with the Constitution’s intent for Congress to protect the public welfare.
“This reading will send a message to the tea party,” said Joe Pitts of Pennsylvania, a leader of the GOP’s conservative faction.
Goodlatte said the move would “set the tone for the 112th Congress.”
“This historic and symbolic reading is long overdue and shows that the new majority in the House truly is dedicated to our Constitution and the principles for which it stands,” he said in a written statement.
Democrats expressed mixed feelings.
“I don’t see what benefit will come from the reading of the Constitution,” said Sam Farr of California. “It’s going to require a lot of work by clerks and recorders taking all of this down, wasting taxpayer dollars.”
But Alcee L. Hastings of Florida said a number of Democrats would take part. “It’s important that they not be given an opportunity to say, ‘They [Democrats] are not interested in the Constitution.’ ”
Alan K. Ota writes for CQ.
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