The Constitutional Studies Center combines careful, objective scholarship into the original understanding of the Constitution with advocacy for human freedom under law. It produces books, issue papers, articles, and legal briefs reporting the results of its research. Since 2010, the Center has had enormous influence on constitutional law cases and commentary, but also on policy makers and grass roots activists. For example, the Center’s research findings galvanized the massive and growing “Article V” movement to restore constitutional limits on the federal government.
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Latest Posts
Does the Necessary and Proper Clause Grant “Broad Authority” to Congress? Actually, None at All0
- May 18, 2011
Probably no part of the Constitution has been so misunderstood as the Necessary and Proper Clause, which is located at Article I, Section 8, Clause 18. The Necessary and Proper Clause has been called both an “elastic clause” and a “sweeping clause,” and many have claimed it grants vast power to Congress. For example, a
READ MOREWhat about Interstate Compacts? A frank look at the problems0
- May 12, 2011
In recent months, there has been interest in states forming compacts with each other to opt out of ObamaCare or other federal programs. The idea is that because such compacts have the effect of federal law, they will supersede earlier federal laws (such as ObamaCare). The strategy is apparently being driven by one or more
READ MOREConstitutional powers the states have, and the feds do not0
- May 8, 2011
The Constitution enumerates the power of the federal government—but are there authoritative lists of those powers reserved to the states with which the federal government may not interfere? Yes—many. During the period 1787-1790, while the public was debating whether to adopt the Constitution, the document’s opponents (“Anti-Federalists”) argued that the Constitution would grant the federal
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The importance of being “natural born”0
- April 28, 2011
The Constitution’s Framers thought deeply about the qualifications for federal office. Those qualifications are in the Constitution for very good reasons. Despite some of the snarky commentary you hear on the subject, it has been entirely appropriate to insist that Barack Obama—or any other candidate for federal office—provide proof that he meets the constitutional requirements
READ MOREControl of the state courts—the latest federal takeover target?0
- April 6, 2011
[T]his bill . . . is an attack on state courts and on the civil jury system itself.
READ MOREIs health insurance “Commerce among the States?”0
- March 30, 2011
Behind the current constitutional debates over ObamaCare, there is an assumption that Congress has power to regulate health insurance as “Commerce among the States.” However, in various decisions over 150 years, the Supreme Court ruled that “insurance” was not within the Constitution’s definition of “Commerce.” Only a single aberrant Supreme Court case says it is.
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Contact
Rob Natelson, Senior Fellow, Constitutional Jurisprudence
Email: rob.natelson1@gmail.com
Phone: 303-279-6536, ext 114