The Center for Individual Freedom today sent the following letter to Congressman Steven Palazzo (R-MS) in support of H.J. Res. 28, his proposed Amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would effectively overturn the Supreme Court’s decision upholding ObamaCare’s mandate tax and permanently prevent Congress from ever again forcing Americans to choose between the purchase of goods and services or tax penalties.

February 28, 2013

The Honorable Steven Palazzo
United States House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Congressman Palazzo:

On behalf of the Center for Individual Freedom (“CFIF”) and its more than 300,000 supporters and activists nationwide, I write in full support of H.J. Res. 28, your proposed Amendment to the United States Constitution that, if passed and ratified, will prevent Congress from taxing individuals and businesses as punishment simply for failing to purchase goods and services.

Last year, the U.S. Supreme Court took the extraordinary step of upholding ObamaCare’s mandate forcing virtually all Americans to buy health insurance or pay a penalty to the federal government as a valid exercise of Congress’ taxing power outlined in Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution.  In other words, a Supreme Court majority, for the first time, put its stamp of approval on the novel idea that Congress has the power to punitively tax inactivity. 

Experts predict that as many as 11 million mostly middle-class Americans will be slapped with ObamaCare’s mandate tax once it takes effect in January 2014.  In fact, the Congressional Budget Office (“CBO”) estimates that 7 in 10 Americans making less than $94,000 per year and who are without health insurance will be hit with the mandate tax. 
 
H.J. Res. 28, also known as the “Right to Refuse” Amendment, is simple and to the point.  It states clearly that, “Congress shall make no law that imposes a tax on a failure to purchase goods or services.”

This commonsense Amendment will effectively overturn the Supreme Court’s decision upholding ObamaCare’s mandate tax and permanently prevent Congress from ever again forcing Americans to choose between the purchase of goods and services or tax penalties. 

For those reasons and more, CFIF wholeheartedly endorses H.J. Res. 28 – the “Right to Refuse” Amendment – and urges every Member of Congress to co-sponsor and pass it without delay.

Sincerely,
/s/       
Jeffrey Mazzella
President