Does House Oversight Really Have Nothing Better to Do than Trample State Sovereignty?

SPRINGFIELD, Virginia– Today, Campaign for Liberty President Norm Singleton issued the following statement regarding the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee’s hearing on the “Restoration of America’s Wire Act”:

“Surely, with all the IRS is attempting to do targeting conservative groups, there are more pressing issues for the House Oversight Committee to address than another violation of individual liberties and the 10^TH Amendment that is being pushed by one billionaire casino mogul who also just happens to be one of the country’s top political donors,” said Singleton.

“RAWA is about nothing more than using the strong arm of government to trample on state sovereignty and legal online casinos that lack political influence. If Republicans really care about proving to the American people they are not the Party of crony capitalism and big government, they will reject RAWA and this ridiculous charade.”

This legislation would institute a federal ban on online gambling and trample on the United States Constitution, which leaves the states with the authority to regulate matters not specifically given to the federal government.

RAWA is sponsored by Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-UT), who also chairs the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, however, does not have jurisdiction over RAWA, so this hearing amounts to nothing more than Rep. Chaffetz showboating for the special interests who hope to benefit from its passage—either financially or from increased power.

About The Restoration of America’s Wire Act

Rep. Chaffetz introduced the Restoration of America’s Wire Act (H.R. 707) on February 4^th, 2015. The bill currently has 25 cosponsors. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) introduced companion legislation (S.1668) on June 25, 2015. The legislation currently has 8 cosponsors.

Senator Lindsey Graham introduced the Restoration of America’s Wire Act (S. 2159) in the United States Senate on March 26, 2014. Rep. Jason Chaffetz introduced identical legislation (H.R. 4301) in the House of Representatives on April 16, 2014. At the end of the 113^th Congress the legislation had 4 and 19 cosponsors, respectively.