House votes to gut eminent domain ruling
“Opponents of the decision argue the court erred in deciding that any public use is served in transferring property between two private entities. They also say it means the government now has the right to confiscate property any time it believes another private party will help it generate more tax revenue.
“Under the court’s reasoning, the government can now use the eminent domain power to take the property of any individual for nearly any reason,” Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) said during Tuesday’s debate on the bill.
Goodlatte quoted from the dissenting opinion of then-Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, who said the ruling lets the government pick and choose which entities are allowed to own property.
“The specter of condemnation hangs over all property,” she wrote in her dissent. “Nothing is to prevent the state from replacing any Motel 6 with a Ritz Carlton, any home with a shopping mall, or any farm with a factory.”
“It is time for Congress finally to step in and do its part to rein in eminent domain abuse,” Goodlatte said. “No one should have to live in fear of the government snatching up their home, farm, church or small business.””
Kasperowicz, Pete. The Hill 26 February 2014.