Washington, D.C. — U.S. Congressman Steve King issued the following statement regarding the Supreme Court’s decision today in Kelo v. City of New London, that determines local governments can seize homes and businesses via eminent domain against the owner’s will.

“The Fifth Amendment of the United States Constitution says, ‘…nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.’

For years, Americans thought the cannon that protected their castle was the Constitution. I’ll say there is no mortal force to preserve our Constitution until the people understand the relentless judicial desecration of original intent of our Constitutional Founders. The Supreme Court wrongly said that your property rights don’t exist if those property rights interfere with a more powerful public or private interest.”