AUSTIN — Today, Senator Brandon Creighton (R-Conroe) made the following statement after the historic Senate passage of his signature state sovereignty legislation, Senate Concurrent Resolution 1:

"Each legislator has taken an oath to uphold and protect our United States and Texas Constitutions. Today's historic Senate vote to reaffirm our sovereignty under the Tenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution is a powerful statement to the rest of the country and a victory for Texas."

"Many across the state are greatly concerned that our rights are being eroded by the federal government's continual attempt to overstep its constitutional bounds. Silence on our part will only yield more authority to the federal government and remove the fate of Texas from our hands. SCR 1 is a strong assertion of our rightful place in our federal system."

Senator Creighton has been an outspoken advocate for Tenth Amendment issues during his legislative career and has traveled to other states to encourage their legislatures to do the same. SCR 1 was previously HCR 50 in the House. This legislation successfully passed the House with bi-partisan support in 2009 and 2011, but never passed the Senate until today.

SCR 1 lays out the extent of limitations of federal power under the U.S. and Texas Constitutions, claims sovereignty for the State of Texas, demands the federal government halt and reverse certain laws and mandates that exceed its constitutional authority, and directs that all federal laws unnecessary to guarantee the rights of the people be prohibited and repealed.

Since 2009, nine states have passed similar resolutions: Louisiana, Oklahoma, Idaho, South Dakota, North Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, and South Carolina. Over 40 states have been active on this issue.

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