Despite bi-partisan support in the house, and overwhelming backing by the US people, the U.S. Senate failed to pass the Private Property Rights Protection Act of 2006 (H.R. 4128/S. 3873). As a result, thousands of Americans will remain subject to eminent domain abuse supported by federal dollars.
Dana Berliner, a senior attorney with the Institute for Justice said,
Historically, the federal government has provided the money to throw hard-working people out of their homes and businesses to make way for private development projects. The Senate had the opportunity to end this abuse, and they blew it.” Under the federal Housing Act of 1949, cities were authorized to use eminent domain to clear “blighted neighborhoods,” and in the process displaced one million people, two-thirds of them African-American.
The “Private Property Rights Protection Act of 2005” was passed by an overwhelmingly bi-partisan vote more than one year ago. The bill would have countered the effects of the Kelo decision, which allows state and local governments to use eminent domain to seize property for private development on the mere possibility of increased tax revenue or jobs.
Here are a few quotes maybe the Senators who voted against this should think about:
- Daniel Webster