Sensenbrenner Bill Passes House Judiciary Committee with Bipartisan Support

Washington, DC – January 25, 2012 – (RealEstateRama) — Today Congressman Sensenbrenner’s legislation, H.R. 1433 the Private Property Rights Protection Act passed the House Judiciary Committee with broad bipartisan support by a vote of 23-5.

“Protecting private property rights has strong support on both sides of the aisle. The U.S. Supreme Court wrongly decided to broaden states’ eminent domain power to allow governments to seize private property for economic development. Expanded eminent domain is an abject offense on Americans’ basic freedom, and Congress must restore the basic constitutional protections of private property.”

“All Americans should be able to trust that they have freedom from blatant governmental overreach. The federal government should not be able to utilize eminent domain to force private-to-private transfer of property.”

Information on H.R. 1433:

In 2005, the U.S. Supreme Court held in, Kelo v. City of New London that private property could be “condemned” for the sole purpose of implementing a local government’s redevelopment plan, thereby allowing property to be turned over to private developers in a private-to-private transfer.

Kelo sparked outrage across the country by allowing an unprecedented government overreach. Congressman Sensenbrenner introduced legislation in the 109th Congress, which passed the House overwhelmingly with a vote a 376-38.

H.R. 1433 prohibits the federal government from exercising its eminent domain power for economic development by prohibiting federal economic development funds for two years from being used by state and local government for the same purpose.

Contact:
Amanda Infield 202 225 5101