Roberto Clemente Commemorative Coin Act

SI-generated grade · five published checks · not individually reviewed by a person · methodology

This bill is a straightforward exercise of Congress's enumerated power to coin money and regulate the value thereof. It does not infringe any constitutional right, restrict individual sovereignty, or consolidate power improperly. The surcharge is a voluntary transaction cost, not a tax or taking, and the bill includes no due process concerns.

• ✓ Passes · Enumerated powers
  Article I, Section 8, Clause 5 grants Congress the power to coin money and regulate the value thereof. Minting commemorative coins is a direct exercise of this enumerated power. The bill directs the Treasury to mint and issue coins, which falls squarely within this authority.
• ✓ Passes · Bill of Rights
  The bill does not implicate any provision of the Bill of Rights. It does not restrict speech, religion, assembly, press, petition, arms, quartering, search and seizure, self-incrimination, due process, takings, trial rights, or cruel and unusual punishment. It is a purely ministerial action regarding coinage.
• ✓ Passes · Individual sovereignty
  The bill imposes no restriction on individual action. Purchasing the commemorative coin is entirely voluntary. The surcharge is a condition of a voluntary purchase, not a compelled payment or restriction on property, labor, speech, or belief.
• ✓ Passes · Decentralization
  The bill passes all four questions. (1) Individuals can choose whether to purchase the coin, so they can handle the transaction without government involvement. (2) A local community could theoretically mint its own commemorative items, but the Constitution specifically grants coinage to the federal government, so federal involvement is constitutionally mandated. (3) States cannot coin money under …
• ✓ Passes · Due process and takings
  The bill does not deprive any person of life, liberty, or property without due process. The surcharge is not a taking; it is a voluntary payment made in exchange for a coin. There is no arbitrary government action, and no hearing or notice is required because no one is compelled to participate.

Sources: Congress.gov: HR 1787 summary