Congressman Al Green Cosponsors Bill to Address Abusive Eminent Domain Powers and Protect Property Rights

(Washington, DC)--Today, Congressman Al Green (TX-09) announced his cosponsorship of HR 3135, the Private Property Rights Protection Act, to protect the property rights of all Americans.

"This bill will help put an end to the opportunity for abusive land grabs that can unfairly benefit private special interest," Congressman Al Green said. "This bipartisan legislation would prevent the use of invidious economic development as a justification for exercising power of eminent domain."

Congressman Al Green expressed support for maintaining a distinction between private and public use of property. Property rights are similar to civil rights.

"We can not allow the seizure of private property for personal economic gain," Congressman Al Green said. "Individual freedom is at risk when people are being stripped of their rights to exercise autonomy over their own private property."

HR 3135 was introduced as a result of the Supreme Court's 5-4 decision in Kelo v. City of New London in which it held that economic development can be a public use under the Fifth Amendment's Taking's Clause justifying the government's taking of private property. This legislation would also prohibit using economic development as a justification for exercising the power of eminent domain whenever federal funds are used.

The NAACP, AARP, religious organizations, and the American Farm Bureau have voiced strong opposition to economic development being deemed public use for the purpose of obtaining private property.

"Unfortunately, the most likely victims will be those who are at an economic disadvantage," Congressman Al Green said.