In an effort to rebalance power between the states and the federal government, the Oklahoma Senate adopted Senate Concurrent Resolution 6 which calls for the creation of a National Federalism Task Force. The resolution’s author, Senator Michael Bergstrom says it is time for the state to reassert its authority and responsibilities granted by the U.S. Constitution and protected by the 10th Amendment.
“The founders of our nation crafted the Constitution to limit the powers of the federal government and protect the powers of the states,” Bergstrom said. “Alexander Hamilton described this as forming a ‘double security to the people.’ However, over time, the federal government has frequently claimed to itself rights and powers that the Constitution has reserved to the states and the people.”
If states join the National Federalism Task Force, Bergstrom envisions summits to develop plans to restore and maintain states’ powers, protecting from encroachment by the federal government.
“SCR 6 is a first step toward pushing back against the federal government’s overreach,” Bergstrom said. “The Oklahoma State Legislature is calling upon all other states whose leaders desire to protect their state’s powers, citizens’ rights and governing voice to participate in a task force to develop plans for restoring appropriate divisions of powers and roles between the states and federal government.
“We must push back on Washington’s encroachment of the authority rightly belonging to Oklahoma and other states in the union.”
Rep. Jay Steagall is the resolution’s author in the House.
