Boehner Opposes Unconstitutional Thought Crimes Bill

Via email:

Congressman John Boehner (R-West Chester) today issued the following statement opposing H.R. 1592, legislation that imposes additional federal penalties for having prohibited thoughts:

“This unconstitutional bill would effectively give the federal government authority to punish American citizens for ‘thought crimes’ – a concept that has Big Brother written all over it. There are already state and local laws on the books that punish violent crime against any and all Americans. This bill would eliminate any concept of ‘equal justice’ under the law, dividing Americans into different classes of people subject to different protections under the law. It would take us down a frightening road where an individual can be punished for having unpopular or politically incorrect thoughts. Nowhere in the Constitution is the power to regulate and punish crimes of thought delegated to Congress.

“This bill could restrict religious freedom and First Amendment rights, and curtail Americans’ rights rather than protect them.”