During the debate today on the health care bill, Sen. John Ensign (R-NV) declared that Congress is not empowered by the Constitution to reform health care at all — and that Senators are violating a “solemn oath” by passing such a bill.
“When each one of us comes to this floor after we’re elected, we raise our right hand, put our hand on the Bible, and take an oath to defend and protect the Constitution of the United States. We in no way take an oath to reform health care, or do anything else that we think is good to do,” said Ensign. “Anything on health care or any other good provision that we want to do around here has to fit within the powers that are listed within the constitution of the United States. That’s the oath, the solemn oath that each and every Senator takes. And that’s what each and every one of us needs to think about when we’re voting on this constitutional point of order.”
Ensign, whose presidential aspirations were derailed earlier this year due to an extra-marital affair, does appear to have a point on this one. After they are elected, Senators walk down the aisle of the chamber and perform a serious ceremony, committing themselves to the bonds of their office. And breaking those vows is not to be taken lightly.
