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December 5, 2006

URGENT: Final Week for Federal Eminent Domain Reform!

From the Institute for Justice:

This is the last week Congress is expected to be in session, and eminent domain reform has yet to be brought to a vote. It's time for a final, full-court press to get federal eminent domain reform passed before the 109th Congress adjourns.

As you know, H.R. 4128 passed the House over a year ago by an extraordinarily bipartisan vote of 376-38. There is no reason this bill should be stonewalled in the Senate, but there has been no vote until now. The Senate needs to understand that federal protections against eminent domain abuse are important to the American people. Every poll done in the wake of Kelo shows overwhelming disapproval of seizing private property for economic development. 34 states have passed legislation in just over one year limiting their powers of eminent domain. And both state courts that have heard this issue since Kelo - Oklahoma and Ohio - disagreed with the Supreme Court’s decision and ruled in favor of the property owners. It is clear that this abuse of power will no longer be tolerated, nor will Congress’s support of it.

There is going to be an effort to get eminent domain reform passed this week, but it requires that EVERY senator agree to it. Consequently, your senators’ - Senators Chuck Schumer and Hillary Clinton - support for this legislation is essential to its passage. We urge you to contact Senators Schumer and Clinton TODAY and TELL THEM TO SUPPORT H.R. 4128/S. 3873. Then call Senator Frist’s office and let him know that you talked to your senators. Lastly, tell all of your friends and family to do the same. Every additional person that makes their voice heard increases the chances that this bill will pass, so please - take a few minutes today to spread the word.

Here are their phone numbers:
Senator Chuck Schumer: (202) 224-6542
Senator Hillary Clinton: (202) 224-4451
Senator Bill Frist: (202) 224-3344

Or you can e-mail them through this link: https://action.popuvox.com/default.aspx?actionID=286.

This is the last chance for the 109th Congress to pass eminent domain reform. If they don't, we will have to start all over again next year - so let's make this week count.

Posted by lumi at December 5, 2006 10:24 AM