Rep. Conyers Discovers New Clause In Constitution, More Than 200 Years Later

Mike Brownfield / March 24, 2010

One of the more controversial – and unconstitutional – components of health care reform President Barack Obama signed into law yesterday is Congress’ mandate that individuals purchase health insurance or face a fine.

The Heritage Foundation has documented that there is no provision in the Constitution empowering Congress to force Americans to buy a good or service. What’s more, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office agrees the mandate is entirely unprecedented.

So where does Congress get the authority to justify that provision? On Friday, CNSNews.com went to House Judiciary Committee Chairman Rep. John Conyers (D-MI) for answers:

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