The Republican National Lawyers Association holds its annual conference in Washington, Friday. This year's conference, titled "Restoring a Government of Laws: The Obama Administration v. The Constitution," features speakers on the Justice Department and the health care law.
Former Attorney General Michael Mukasey examined the record of the current Attorney General, Eric Holder. Mukasey served from 2007-2009, during President George W. Bush's last two years in office.
He spoke about the history of radical Islam, which he equated with the rise of the Muslim Brotherhood in the 1920s, and followed the rise of the organization through 9-11. Mukasey argues that enemy combatants should be tried in a separate hybrid court overseen by Article III judges and should not have the same habeaus corpus rights as American citizens.
Prior to his appointment as Attorney General, he was a federal district judge in New York State.
Later, Michael Carvin discussed his recent argument before the Supreme Court on the Affordable Care Act, where he argued on behalf of several states who petitioned the court that the health care reform act was unconstitutional.
In his speech, he laid out his arguments against the constitutionality of the health care law and the government’s arguments. He also talked about the Constitution’s Commerce Clause and said that it doesn’t allow the government to compel commerce and therefore the government cannot make people buy health insurance.
The Supreme Court is expected to hand down their decision in that case in late June.
He has previously argued cases before the Supreme Court, including the 2000 Bush v. Gore, which had the effect of deciding the presidential election.
The Republican National Lawyers Association is a national organization of lawyers who belong to and support the Republican party and Republican policies.