U.S. Constitution Is Read On The Floor of Congress – GOA Celebrates This Historic Event

One would think that every legislator, each of whom takes an oath to uphold the Constitution, would celebrate the reading of the document, but that was not the case…

Washington, DC –-(Ammoland.com)- It's never been done before. The U.S. Constitution has NEVER been read on the floor of the Congress.

And to no one's surprise, the voting records of most Congressmen demonstrate they've never read the document for themselves!

So as you know, GOA initiated a campaign early last month to require the incoming Congress to read the Constitution. And our effort paid off yesterday when the House of Representatives read the Constitution on the floor of that chamber. This was quite a historic event.

One would think that every legislator (each of whom takes an oath to uphold the Constitution) would celebrate the reading of the document, but that was not the case.

“They are reading it like a sacred text,” complained anti-Second Amendment Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), who told The Washington Post that the “ritualistic reading” on the floor was “total nonsense” and “propaganda.”

The Representative who spearheaded the effort in the House disagreed. “As the written expression of the consent the American people gave to their government — a consent with restrictions and boundaries — the public reading of the Constitution will set the tone for the 112th Congress,” said Virginia Rep. Bob Goodlatte in a statement.

Republican and Democrat Representatives alike took turns reading the Constitution out loud on Thursday, but there was a definite difference in the interest level this event was generating on each side of the isle.

GOA's Director of Federal Affairs, John Velleco, observed the reading from the House gallery and noted that, “The Republican side was mostly full; the Democrat side was mostly empty.”

“But while we celebrate the reading and thank the millions of Americans who supported this effort, we also realize that this is just one step. Now we must hold their feet to the fire and see to it that they actually abide by the document.”

In a letter, GOA thanked House Speaker John Boehner — who kicked off the reading with the Preamble — for bringing the measure to the floor. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), however, has given no indication that the Senate would read the Constitution (which comes as no surprise, since they violate it on a daily basis).

To force the issue in the upper chamber, GOA is working with several offices on a Resolution that would require the reading of the Constitution when the Senate comes back later this month.

So to help keep the pressure on and the issue alive on Capitol Hill, GOA is continuing to gather signatures at www.readtheusconstitution.org. If you have already signed the petition, please be sure to have family and friends get on board as well.

Action: Click here to sign the petition.

Gun Owners of America

8001 Forbes Place, Suite 102

Springfield, VA 22151

Phone: 703-321-8585

FAX: 703-321-8408

www.gunowners.org

About:

Gun Owners of America (GOA) is a non-profit lobbying organization formed in 1975 to preserve and defend the Second Amendment rights of gun owners. GOA sees firearms ownership as a freedom issue. `The only no comprise gun lobby in Washington' – Ron Paul