>Garrett: All Congressional Staff Must Understand the Constitution
Introduces new House rule to require all congressional staffers to complete yearly training on the Constitution
WASHINGTON, December 17, 2010 – Rep. Scott Garrett (R-NJ), Founder and Chairman of the Congressional Constitution Caucus, yesterday introduced H. Res. 1772, a House rule resolution that would require congressional staff members to complete annual training on the Constitution.
“Members of Congress often consult their staff for advice about legislation and other official actions; consequently, I believe it’s important for congressional staff to have a firm understanding of the constitutional principles our country was founded upon,” said Garrett upon introducing the rule. “Having a training program dedicated to the Constitution would increase general awareness of the Constitution and thereby lead to a more constitutionally-sound manner of governing. Congress would better limit itself to enumerated powers if those who work on Capitol Hill are more familiar with what those specific powers are.”
Garrett’s House rule resolution has 25 original cosponsors and would require all staff to undergo mandatory training that is similar in format to the annual ethics training staffers are already required to complete. The Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties would be tasked with developing and managing the training.
