Washington, D.C.—Iowa Congressman Steve King joined House Majority Leader Tom Delay today in announcing the formation of the House Working Group On Judicial Accountability, on which King will serve.  The group will work to encourage responsible federal judiciary, and identify and prevent judicial activism. 

“For the last couple of generations, courts have taken an increasingly activist role in legislating from the bench, which by definition requires them to either ignore or subvert the intent of the Constitution and our nation’s laws.  A flood of activist decisions from courts around the country, capped by the Supreme Court’s ruling in Lawrence v. Texas, has swept away the very rule of law itself and caused our Founding Fathers to roll over in their graves.  The work of our taskforce will allow them to, someday, rest again in peace,” said King.   

This House working group will ensure that judges fulfill their duties without bias and without substituting their philosophy for the law.  Some of their duties include:  

• Identifying bad laws that invite judicial activism and hopefully recommend legislation that will prevent it in the future; 
• Involving the House in more federal court nominations because we believe America deserves a United States Senate that will seriously consider this President’s mainstream and qualified nominees and allow them a vote;
• Working with the Judiciary Committee on its vigorous oversight of the federal court system;  
• Rating Supreme Court decisions.
   

“It is an extraordinary honor for a non-lawyer to be named to this groundbreaking taskforce.  Putting the cards in place to reestablish the checks of powers as designed by our Founders is the most important assignment that any Member of Congress could be asked to perform.  Restraining a runaway judicial system requires significant changes in the educational programs in our universities and law schools.  Providing a solution will require short-term, mid-term, and long-term strategic planning,” King concluded.