Category: National Platform

A collection of national platform planks and white papers on important issues from a constitutional perspective.

Domestic Federal Aid

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All monies provided to the states from the federal government for any purpose not specifically and clearly articulated in the Constitution should be rejected by the states, including all federal mandates and regulations which are likewise unconstitutional.

THE PRINCIPLES

The 10th Amendment states:

“The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.”

THE PROBLEM

The Constitution assigns all powers not delegated to the federal government to the states or the people. Domestic federal “aid” not authorized by the Constitution is not only illegal, it is immoral.

THE SOLUTION

We call upon the states, therefore, to decline to accept all monies from the federal government for any purpose not specifically and clearly articulated in the Constitution, and reject all federal mandates and regulations which are unconstitutional, thus restoring the intended balance of power between the states and their creation, the U.S. Government.

THE CONSTITUTION PARTY COMMITTMENT

Constitution Party elected officials shall work to implement legislation at both the local, state and federal levels to re-instate the balance of power between the states and the federal government by rejecting mandates and regulations which are unconstitutional.

We intend to educate people on the purpose and power of the Tenth Amendment.

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September 2, 2025
Defense

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It is a primary obligation of the federal government to provide for the common defense, and to be vigilant regarding potential threats, prospective capabilities, and perceived intentions of potential enemies.

THE PRINCIPLES

“The very purpose of Government”, as defined in the 2nd paragraph of the Declaration of Independence, is:

“…to secure these [unalienable] rights, Governments are instituted among Men…“, “…that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness…“

To fulfill this obligation, the Preamble of the Constitution states one of the duties specifically delegated to the Federal Government is to:

“Provide for the common defense.“

US Constitution, Article 1, Section 8, Clauses 11–16 give Congress further direction and authority in this area, including the power

“To raise and support Armies” and “To provide and maintain a Navy.“

THE PROBLEM

We oppose unilateral disarmament and dismemberment of America’s defense infrastructure. That which is hastily torn down will not be easily rebuilt.

We condemn the presidential assumption of authority to deploy American troops into combat without a declaration of war by Congress, pursuant to Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution.

Under no circumstances would we commit U.S. forces to serve under any foreign flag or command.

We are opposed to any New World Order, and we reject U.S. participation in or a relinquishing of command to any foreign authority.

THE SOLUTION

STATE NATIONAL GUARD AND THE RESERVES

The goal of U.S. security policy is to defend the national security interests of the United States. Therefore, except in time of declared war, for the purposes of state security, no state National Guard or reserve troops shall be called upon to support or conduct operations in foreign theatres. We should be the friend of liberty everywhere, but the guarantor and provisioner of ours alone.

We call for the maintenance of a strong, state-of-the-art military on land, sea, in the air, and in space.

We urge the executive and legislative branches to continue to provide for the modernization of our armed forces, in keeping with advancing technologies and a constantly changing world situation.

We call for the deployment of a fully-operational strategic defense system as soon as possible.

We believe that all defense expenditures should be directly related to the protection of our nation.

Every item of expenditure must be carefully reviewed to eliminate foreign aid, waste, fraud, theft, inefficiency, and excess profits from all defense contracts and military expenditures.

We reject the policies and practices that permit women to train for or participate in combat.

Because of the radical feminization of the military over the past two decades, it must be recognized that these “advances” undermine the integrity, morale, and performance of our military organizations by dual qualification standards and forced integration.

THE CONSTITUTION PARTY COMMITTMENT

WELL-REGULATED MILITIAS

We fully support well-regulated militias organized at the state level.

We fully support and encourage the restoration of unorganized militia at the county and community level in compliance with our patriotic and legal responsibilities as free citizens of the United States.

PANAMA CANAL ZONE

Under no circumstances should we have unilaterally surrendered our military base rights in Panama. The sovereign right of the United States to the United States territory of the Canal Zone has been jeopardized by treaties between the United States and Panama. Inasmuch as the United States bought both the sovereignty and the grant ownership of the ten-mile-wide Canal Zone, we propose that the government of the United States restore and protect its sovereign right and exclusive jurisdiction of the Canal Zone in perpetuity, and renegotiate the treaties with Panama by which the ownership of the canal was surrendered to Panama.

It should be a priority goal of the President and Congress to insist on enforcement of that portion of the 1978 Panama Canal Neutrality Treaty which prohibits control of the entrances to the Panama Canal by any entity not part of the Republic of Panama or the United States of America. By this standard, the award of port facilities at the entrances to the Panama Canal to Hutchison Whampoa, a Hong Kong company closely linked to the Chinese Communist People’s Liberation Army, must be overturned. Similarly, Congress and the President should take advantage of Panama Canal treaty provisions to negotiate the return of a U.S. military presence at the Isthmus of Panama. At a time when the U.S. Navy is one-third its former size, it is essential that rapid transit of U.S. military vessels between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans be assured.

September 2, 2025
Crime

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Crime, in most cases, is to be dealt with by state and local governments.

THE PRINCIPLES

US Constitution, Article I, Section 8 Clause 6:

“To provide for the Punishment of counterfeiting the Securities and current Coin of the United States;”

US Constitution, Article III Section 3 Clause 2:

“The Congress shall have power to declare the Punishment of Treason”

Amendment 10:

“The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.”

St George Tucker was the pre-eminent constitutional scholar of the American founding era. He published “View of the Constitution of the United States” in 1803 as a comprehensive review of the Constitution of 1787 and the Bill of Rights.

Felonies not enumerated within the United States Constitution are, in Tucker’s view, left within the jurisdiction of the state.

In his work, “View of the Constitution of the United States“, p. 210-21, he said:

“…the very guarded manner in which congress are vested with authority to legislate upon the subject of crimes, and misdemeanors. They are not entrusted with a general power over these subjects, but a few offenses are selected from the great mass of crimes with which society may be infested, upon which only Congress are authorized to prescribe the punishment, or define the offense. All felonies and offenses committed upon land, in all cases not expressly enumerated, being reserved to the states respectively.”

THE PROBLEM

To the degree that the federal government, in its legislation, judicial actions, regulations, and executive branch activities, interferes with the ability of the people in their communities to apprehend, judge, and penalize accused lawbreakers, it bears responsibility for the climate of crime, which has grown more destructive with each passing year.

THE SOLUTION

States and localities have the right to execute criminals of capital crimes. They also have the right to require restitution for victims of convicted criminals.

Federal involvement in state and local criminal justice processes should be limited to that which is constitutionally permitted.

All who are accused of crimes, from petty to capital, are entitled to a trial by jury upon request. The jury shall be fully informed of its right to nullify the law.

Defendants cannot be charged and tried by both state and federal jurisdictions under different laws for the same alleged criminal act. Doing so violates the constitutionally secured prohibition against double jeopardy.

THE CONSTITUTION PARTY COMMITTMENT

Equal Protection: The Constitution Party believes that all Men are created equal and therefore deserve Equal Protection under the law.

Hate Crimes: “Hate crime” legislation at all levels of government, including enhanced penalties must be eliminated. The designation of “hate crime” extends federal jurisdiction to crimes which would otherwise be in the province of the states or local communities.

Special Protection or Prosecution: All persons are made in the image of God. All persons are entitled to equal protection with equal prosecution for any and all crimes committed against innocent victims. Any laws favoring special protection or prosecution for certain classes of people or types of employment should be rescinded.

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September 1, 2025
Cost Of Big Government
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A legitimate and primary purpose of civil government is to safeguard the God-given rights of its citizens; namely, life, liberty, and property. Only those duties, functions, and programs specifically assigned to the federal government by the Constitution should be funded.

THE PRINCIPLES

James Madison, Federalist Papers #45:

“The powers delegated by the proposed Constitution to the federal government are few and defined.”

U.S. Constitution, 10th Amendment

“The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.”

THE PROBLEM

Budget considerations are greatly impacted by the ever-rising national debt. Interest on the debt is one of the largest expenses of government, and unless the interest is paid, the debt will continue to grow as interest is added to interest.

One of the greatest contributors to deficit spending is war. If the country is to eliminate debt, these United States cannot become gratuitously involved in constant wars.

THE SOLUTION

STOP DEFICIT SPENDING.

We call upon Congress and the President to stop all federal expenditures which are not specifically authorized by the U.S. Constitution, and to restore to the states those powers, programs, and sources of revenue that the federal government has usurped.

The President can use his veto power to stop irresponsible and unconstitutional appropriations and refuse to spend money appropriated by Congress for unconstitutional programs, or in excess of tax revenue collected.

Reject the misleading use of the terms “surplus” and “balanced budget” as long as we have public debt.

Oppose dishonest accounting practices such as “off-budget items” used to hide unconstitutional spending practices.

End federal government raiding of the Social Security, Railroad Retirement and Medicare funds to fund current accounts.

Abolish the Civil Service system, which is perceived to confer on government employees a “property right” regarding their jobs.

THE CONSTITUTION PARTY COMMITTMENT

Budget considerations are greatly impacted by the ever-rising national debt. Interest on the debt is one of the largest expenses of government, and unless the interest is paid, the debt will continue to grow as interest is added to interest.

We will eliminate the debt in the shortest reasonable time by:
- Not spending more than collected revenues;
- Paying interest as it accrues; and
- Making annual reductions in the principal
Constitutional government, as the founders envisioned it, was not imperial. It was certainly not contemplated that America would police the world at the taxpayers’ expense.

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September 1, 2025
Constitutional Convention

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We oppose any attempt to call for a Constitutional convention, for any purpose whatsoever, because it cannot be limited to any single issue, and such convention could seriously erode our Constitutionally protected unalienable rights.

We affirm the original text of the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

We affirm that the nation’s Charter, i.e., the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights contain the foundational law of the federal union between the states.

We condemn all legislative, executive, and judicial action that departs from the texts and intent of the Charter and the Constitution and their original meaning.

The Real Question of an Article V Convention

The Dangerous Threat Of an Article V Constitutional Convention

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September 1, 2025
CONSCRIPTION

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US Constitution, 5th Amendment:

“No person shall be … deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.”

Conscription deprives a person of liberty without due process of law. This is clearly prohibited by the Fifth Amendment.

Conscription is forcibly taking a person’s labor—which is a form of property.

Allowing conscription removes a critical check on the unconstitutional expansion of the Executive Branch.

Compulsory government service is incompatible with individual liberty.

We oppose imposition of the draft, the registration law, compulsory military training or any other form of compulsory government service.

We support a well-trained and highly organized volunteer state home militia, and voluntary Reserve Officer Training Corps (R.O.T.C.) military training in our schools, colleges, and universities.

September 1, 2025
Character and Moral Conduct

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April 2024: revised and passed by vote of National Committee

It is imperative that members and nominated candidates representing the Constitution Party and its state affiliates recognize the importance of demonstrating good character in their own lives.

THE PRINCIPLES

John Adams, the 2nd President and signer of the Declaration of Independence, warned:

“Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.”

He also counseled:

“The people have a right, an indisputable, unalienable, indefeasible, divine right to that most dreaded and envied kind of knowledge–I mean of the character and conduct of their rulers.”

THE PROBLEM

Over time, the limitations of federal government power imposed by the Constitution have been substantially eroded. Regionalization of governments, at any level, also results in the removal of decision-making powers from the people or public officials directly elected by the people.

THE SOLUTION

Our very Constitution when we condone immoral conduct by our elected and appointed leaders. Public respect and esteem toward public officials have fallen to a shameful level. The Constitution Party finds that a cause of this national state of disgrace is the deterioration of personal character among government leaders, exacerbated by the lack of public outcry against immoral conduct by public office holders.

THE CONSTITUTION PARTY COMMITTMENT

Our party leaders and public officials must display exemplary qualities of honesty, integrity, reliability, moral uprightness, fidelity, prudence, temperance, justice, fortitude, self-restraint, courage, kindness, and compassion. If they cannot be trusted in private life, neither can they be trusted in public life.

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August 31, 2025
Congressional Reform
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Congress must once again be accountable to the people and obedient to the Constitution, repealing all laws that delegate legislative powers to regulatory agencies, bureaucracies, private organizations, the Federal Reserve Board, international agencies, the president, and the judiciary.

THE PRINCIPLES

U.S. Constitution, Article 6, Clause 3:

“The Senators and Representatives… shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution . . .”

The Congress of these United States has become an overpaid, overstaffed, self-serving institution.

It confiscates taxpayer funds to finance exorbitant and unconstitutionally determined salaries, pensions, and perks. Most members of Congress have become more accountable to the Washington establishment than to their constituents. Both chambers of Congress are all too often unresponsive and irresponsible, arrogantly placing themselves above the very laws they enact, and beyond the control of the citizens they have sworn to represent and serve.

It is time for the American people to renew effective supervision of their public servants, to restore right standards, and to take back the government.

THE PROBLEM

The U.S. Constitution, as originally framed in Article I, Section 3, provided for U.S. Senators to be chosen by state legislators. This provided the states direct representation in the legislative branch so as to deter the usurpation of powers that are constitutionally reserved to the states or to the people.

The Seventeenth Amendment changed this by providing for the direct, popular election of U.S. Senators. This effectively removed state government representation in the federal legislative process, destroying a vital check and balance on federal power designed by the Framers of Constitution.

Since the ratification of the Seventeenth Amendment, Congress has usurped power relatively unchecked. Very few members of Congress make it through a single session without violating their oath of office to the Constitution.

THE SOLUTION

It is vital that Americans repeal the Seventeenth Amendment, if the U.S. Senate is to return to being a body which truly represents the legislatures of each individual state at the federal level.

This will return the function of electing the Senate back to the state legislatures and will restore the checks and balances of power, which our Constitution originally provided.

The result will be that all current powers, programs, and sources of revenue that the federal government has unconstitutionally appropriated will be returned to the states and the people of the states under the Tenth Amendment.

THE CONSTITUTION PARTY COMMITTMENT

The Constitution Party will:
- Support legislation to prohibit the attachment of unrelated riders to bills. Any amendments must fit within the scope and object of the original bill.
- Support legislation to require that the Congressional Record contain an accurate record of proceedings. Members of Congress are not to be permitted to rewrite the speeches delivered during the course of debates, or other remarks offered from the floors of their respective houses; nor may any additional materials be inserted in the Record, except those referred to in the speaker’s presentation and for which space is reserved.
- Abolish Congressional Pensions and Benefits. We seek to abolish Congressional pensions and other benefits that extend beyond their term in office and favor a conflict-of-interest provision that prevents former congressmen from lobbying for two years after leaving office.
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June 6, 2000
Bring the Government Back to the People

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The closer civil government is to the people, the more responsible, responsive, and accountable it is likely to be.

THE PRINCIPLES

The Constitution itself, in Articles I through VI, enumerates the powers which may be exercised by the federal government.

Of particular importance is Article I, Section 8, which delineates the authority of Congress. The federal government was clearly established as a government of limited authority.

The Tenth Amendment to the Constitution specifically provides that:

“The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.”

THE PROBLEM

Over time, the limitations of federal government power imposed by the Constitution have been substantially eroded. Regionalization of governments, at any level, also results in the removal of decision-making powers from the people or public officials directly elected by the people.

THE SOLUTION

Preservation of constitutional government requires a restoration of the balance of authority between the federal government and the states as provided in the Constitution itself and as intended and construed by those who framed and ratified that document.

THE CONSTITUTION PARTY COMMITTMENT

The Constitution Party pledges to be faithful to constitutional limitations, and pledge to work methodically to restore to the States and to the people their rightful control over legislative, judicial, executive, and regulatory functions that are not constitutionally delegated to the federal government.

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April 15, 2000