Michele Bachmann - The Constitution
Summary
Congresswoman Bachmann often asserts that the federal government should adhere to the laws established in the Constitution. She often cites the limits set on the federal government and the overreach of power by the executive and legislative branches when stating positions on issues. This can be seen in her arguments against a national mandate in health care and in her opposition to firearm laws that violate the second amendment. Congresswoman Bachmann also cites the overgrowth of the federal government beyond it's constitutional authority when addressing the need to lower the deficit and reduce the size of government.
In keeping with the guideline of the Constitution for federal government, Congresswoman Bachmann notes that while her personal beliefs are that marriage is between a man and a woman, she agrees that marriage is not one of the powers enumerated to the federal government in the Constitution and therefore a matter to be decided by the states unless an amendment passes to change that issue. Congresswoman Bachmann has co-sponsored the Enumerated Powers Act to force the Congress to cite where they get the authority in the Constitution to pass each piece of legislation.
One area where Congresswoman Bachmann has come under fire for this viewpoint is homeland security. As a supporter of the PATRIOT Act and the use of Guatanamo Bay, Congresswoman has been criticized for the constitutional violations established by these laws and practices.
Executive Compensation Limits
In June of 2009, Congresswoman Bachmann appeared on Fox Business and spoke in opposition to the use of government to set pay limits.
Palmetto Freedom Forum
In August of 2011, Congresswoman Bachmann participated in the Palmetto Freedom Forum. This was a discussion organized by Senator Jim DeMint of South Carolina. Five candidates spoke about the federal government and the constitution, limited powers, and the state of the government.
Fox News / Google Debate
In September of 2011, Congresswoman Bachmann participated in the Fox News / Google debate. She discussed the right to worship as they see fit and the separation between church and state.
KELLY: And now I'm moving on from you, Governor Huntsman, to you, Congresswoman Bachmann. In 2006, you said that public schools are, quote, "teaching children that there is separation of church and state,"
and said, quote, "I am here to tell you that's a myth."
Do you believe that there is a limit...
(APPLAUSE)
... on government's ability to inject religion into the public square? And if so, what is that limit?
BACHMANN: Well, I think that Thomas Jefferson stated it best. He was the author of the -- the religious liberty that he valued so much, and that's the -- the United States government should not be a state church. That's really what the fundamental was of separation of church and state.
And when Jefferson wrote a letter to the Danbury Baptists, the Danbury Baptists wanted to know, will you have a national church in the United States? He said no, because we believe in freedom of conscience, we believe in freedom of religious liberty, and expression, and speech.
That's a foundational principle in the United States. But that doesn't mean that we aren't people of faith and that people of faith shouldn't be allowed to exercise religious liberty in the public square. Of course we should be able to...
(APPLAUSE)
... (inaudible) exercise our faith. And -- and whether that expression occurs in a public school or occurs -- occurs in a public building, we should be able to allow -- to have freedom for all people to express our belief in God.
Sponsored and Cosponsored Legislation
Enumerated Powers Act - Cosponsor
Requires each Act of Congress to contain a concise and definite statement of the constitutional authority relied upon for the enactment of each portion of that Act. Declares that failure to comply with this requirement shall give rise to a point of order in either chamber of Congress.