Secession or Sovereignty; the Montana House Debates

By Kellyn Brown, 4-23-09

Ever since Texas Gov. Rick Perry floated the idea at a tea party last week, the prospect of states seceding from the union has been increasingly discussed in political arenas across the country. On Wednesday, it was Montana's turn with the debate over HR3, which failed on a 50-50 vote in the evenly split House. But first, lawmakers argued over whether the resolution was aimed at affirming our state's rights, or the first step toward secession.

Rep. Michael More, the Gallatin Gateway Republican who introduced the legislation, said the bill isn't about "right-wing extremism." Instead, according to the Great Falls Tribune, he said:

"It is about sovereignty. It is about the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence preceding it. And it is about the rule of law. Montana law."

But Democrats disagreed. From the Bozeman Daily Chronicle:

Pointing to the last line of the resolution, which states that Montana’s contract with the United States should be considered broken if Congress passes a law breaching the “reservations” of the resolution, Rep. Mike Menahan, D-Helena, said, “If this isn’t groundwork for seceding from the union, I don’t know what is.”

In Texas, Perry may regret all the secession talk. Soon after his comment (see clip below), Rasmussen Reports polled Texas voters and found that 75 percent of them want to remain in the United States, with just 18 percent opting to secede. And the governor was already facing a tough reelection. From Rasmussen:

In Texas, Perry finds himself in a challenging environment for reelection as he seeks an unprecedented third consecutive term as governor. Another Republican, Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, will be running against him. Hutchison is viewed favorably by 67% of voters statewide, Perry by 55%.

[End of article]