House Republicans Want All Bills to Cite Constitutional Authority

House Republicans, marking the anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Constitution, called Friday for members of Congress to adopt a proposal that would require every bill to include language citing its constitutional authority.

The idea was proposed by Rep. John Shadegg, R-Ariz., on Republicans' "America Speaking Out" website -- an online discussion board for legislative ideas. GOP leaders talked up the idea in honor of Constitution Day, being celebrated Friday.

House Minority Leader John Boehner's blog argued that the Shadegg proposal could create "an obstacle to expanded government" and could have put a check on the health care overhaul passed earlier this year.

"The centerpiece of ObamaCare is a constitutionally suspect 'individual mandate' requiring every American citizen to purchase government-approved health insurance," the post said.

House Minority Whip Eric Cantor, R-Va., wrote in a column for National Review Online that, "we shouldn't proceed with legislation until we have resolved its constitutionality."