Rep Shadegg: Congress Is “Doing Whatever It Feels Like”

Rep. John Shadegg, R-Ariz., says if the founders saw what Congress was up to these days, they wouldn't be pleased.

"The founders intended and wrote in the Constitution that the federal government could do certain things but it can't do just anything it feels like," Shadegg told Fox News on Saturday. "And yet, it is doing whatever it feels like."

It is for that very reason that the congressman introduced H.R. 450, also known as the Enumerated Powers Act.

This measure would require that all bills introduced in the U.S. Congress include a statement that specifies the Constitutional authority. Shadegg says he hopes the Enumerated Powers Act will force Congress to re-examine the role of the national government.

"It's an intent to remind members of Congress that there are limits on the powers of congress, said Shadegg. "What it would do is require that anytime a member of the House or the United States Senate introduces a bill, they would have to look into the Constitution and find the specific provision of the Constitution that authorizes that legislation."

This isn't the first time Shadegg has introduced the Enumerated Powers Act. In fact, the congressman has been sponsoring the measure since the 104th Congress.

When asked about the response from his colleagues in Congress, Shadegg said, "Under the current Congress, there are more and more members who say this is a good idea."

Shadegg added that after Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., introduced the companion bill in the Senate (S. 1319), 24 co-sponsors signed on.

As for his constituents, Shadegg says that positive feedback from Americans will translate into a law being passed.

"Popular support outside the beltway," said Shadegg "turns into support inside the Congress when members hear from their constituents."