Arizona Governor Jan Brewer (R)
In a stroke of a pen, Republican Arizona Governor Jan Brewer continued to defy federal law by issuing an Executive Order prohibiting illegal aliens from receiving public benefits. Although this may appear to be a minor state measure, it is really a continuation by a GOP governor to defy the power of the federal government and the authority of President Obama. How can this be? Under repeated Supreme Court cases interpreting the Constitution, immigration is a federal matter. Just a few short weeks ago, President Obama issued his own Executive Order allowing certain eligible illegal aliens the opportunity to avoid deportation and to obtain certain benefits that could lead to amnesty and eventual citizenship. Governor Jan Brewer is on record multiple times challenging the authority of the federal government in the immigration arena. By prohibiting benefits to illegal aliens, she continues to challenge that authority and openly defy the policy put into effect by the president.
For those enchanted with States' Rights under the 10th Amendment, you might want to read Article VI of the Constitution. You mean there are Articles? Although the amendments do just that, amend, the Articles still delineate the powers of the federal government. Article VI reads in part;
"This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof;
and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall
be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing
in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding." The Senators and
Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all
executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound
by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required
as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States."
So what does this mean? It means the Constitution and the laws of the United States (which include presidential Executive Orders) are the "supreme law of the land"and that state officials must swear allegiance towards the Constitution and the Laws of the Nation. Does this help to explain how extreme Governor Brewer's own measure actually is? It ought to. The GOP continues attempts at nullification, despite their sworn responsibility and oath to the Constitution.
For those enchanted with States' Rights under the 10th Amendment, you might want to read Article VI of the Constitution. You mean there are Articles? Although the amendments do just that, amend, the Articles still delineate the powers of the federal government. Article VI reads in part;
"This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof;
and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall
be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing
in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding." The Senators and
Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all
executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound
by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required
as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States."
So what does this mean? It means the Constitution and the laws of the United States (which include presidential Executive Orders) are the "supreme law of the land"and that state officials must swear allegiance towards the Constitution and the Laws of the Nation. Does this help to explain how extreme Governor Brewer's own measure actually is? It ought to. The GOP continues attempts at nullification, despite their sworn responsibility and oath to the Constitution.
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