Marlin Stutzman on Principles & Values

Designate first weekend in May as Ten Commandments Weekend.

Expressing support for designation of the first weekend of May as Ten Commandments Weekend to recognize the significant contributions the Ten Commandments have made in shaping the principles, institutions, and national character of the United States.

• Whereas from the founding days of the United States, the Ten Commandments have been part of the Nation`s basic cultural fabric;
• Whereas the Ten Commandments are a widely respected code of personal conduct and a declaration of fundamental principles for a fair and just society that transcend the diversity of cultural expression and faith in the United States;
• Whereas images of the Ten Commandments are prominently displayed in many Federal buildings, such as the US Supreme Court, National Archives, and Library of Congress; and
• Whereas in addition to being understood as an elemental source for US law, the Ten Commandments have become a recognized symbol in the Nation`s culture:

Now, therefore, be it
1. Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
2. supports the designation of Ten Commandments Weekend;
3. celebrates the significant role the Ten Commandments have played in the development of significant public and private institutions of the US; and
4. encourages citizens of all faiths and religious persuasions to reflect on the important impact that the Ten Commandments have had on the people and national character of the US.

Member of the Republican Study Committee.

Organizational Self-Description: The Republican Study Committee (RSC) has served as the conservative caucus of House Republicans and a leading influencer on the Right since its original founding in 1973. It exists to bring like-minded House members together to promote a strong, principled legislative agenda that will limit government, strengthen our national defense, boost America`s economy, preserve traditional values and balance our budget.

The RSC provides the tools and research that members of Congress need to craft and advance policies that will benefit the American people. It also provides a forum for like-minded members to join together to support common causes and challenge the status quo. By doing so, the RSC ensures that conservatives have a powerful voice on every issue coming before the House, whether it is the economy, health care, defense, social safety net reform, or Washington`s dangerous, out-of-control spending.

We believe that the appropriate role of a limited government is to protect liberty, opportunity, and security, and that it is the responsibility of this generation to preserve them for the next. We believe that more government is the problem, not the solution.

Member of the House Freedom Caucus.

Excerpts from press release from House Freedom Caucus (HFC) founders (1/26/15): According to its mission statement, the HFC `gives a voice to countless Americans who feel that Washington does not represent them. We support open, accountable and limited government, the Constitution and the rule of law, and policies that promote the liberty, safety and prosperity of all Americans.` HFC leader Rep. Mark Meadows said, `The HFC will work to provide a unified conservative voice in the House Republican Conference. I look forward to working with leadership to make the concerns of conservatives known as we work together to advance a pro-growth, limited government agenda in the House.`

Excerpts from Wikipedia article on HFC: The HFC is a congressional caucus consisting of conservative Republican members of the US House of Representatives. It was formed by a group of Congressmen as a `smaller, more cohesive, more agile and more active` group of conservatives. Many members are also part of the Republican Study Committee, another conservative House group. The caucus is sympathetic to the Tea Party movement.

Supporting argument: (Heritage Foundation, `Conservatives and the HFC,` by Jim DeMint, 11/9/2015): The HFC had the audacity to challenge the status quo in Congress, and in the eyes of Washington`s elites, that`s a serious offense. For years, Washington`s chattering class has guarded the status quo Establishment. But despite the howls of media outrage, the HFC has fought to stop business-as-usual in Washington. They are dedicated to [ending] the irresponsible federal spending we`ve seen over the last decade. This support for commonsense policies has led the Establishment to brand them as `radical` and `ultra-conservative.` In reality they are merely advocating for doing what Republican leaders pledged to do. The Freedom Caucus exists to serve as a strong, conservative conscience guiding Congress.