- Making
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- Nov 07, 2020
Framers Quotes
What the framers meant, and who's still arguing about it.
This page collects quotes about what the framers intended when drafting the Bill of Rights and the Constitution, including arguments about religious neutrality in the First Amendment and limits on the Commerce Clause.
- Last Updated on Aug 01, 2026
- Government
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- Nov 07, 2020
The Framers of the Bill of Rights did not purport to 'create' rights. Rather, they designed the Bill of Rights to prohibit our Government from infringing rights and liberties presumed to be preexisting.
- Commerce
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- Nov 07, 2020
The framers never intended an infinitely broad Commerce Clause that would let Congress dictate individuals' purchases.
- Constitutional Rights
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- Nov 07, 2020
This OCCUPIED amendment, this constitutional amendment, would overturn Citizens United. It would make clear that corporations aren't people, that they - the framers of the Constitution never intended to give constitutional rights to corporations, the ones that we enjoy and cherish.
- More
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- Nov 07, 2020
It was the separation of powers upon which the framers placed their hopes for the preservation of the people's liberties. Despite this heritage, the congress has been in too many cases more than willing to walk away from its constitutional powers.
- Expressed
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- Nov 07, 2020
The framers understood that the momentous decision to go to war requires the informed consent of the American people, expressed through their elected representatives.
- Law
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- Nov 07, 2020
Our Constitution framers were men and women with great foresight. They understood the majesty of the rule of law, and of rule by laws.
- Endorsing
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- Nov 07, 2020
I believe that the Framers of the Constitution made their intent clear when they wrote the First Amendment. I believe they wanted to keep the new government from endorsing one religion over another, not erase the public consciousness or common faith.
- Political
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- Nov 07, 2020
The Framers of the Constitution wisely understood that constitutional principles must not be sacrificed on the altar of political appeasement.
- Configuration
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- Nov 07, 2020
The Internet's distinct configuration may have facilitated anonymous threats, copyright infringement, and cyberattacks, but it has also kindled the flame of freedom in ways that the framers of the American constitution would appreciate - the Federalist papers were famously authored pseudonymously.
- Fear
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- Nov 07, 2020
There was a fear among the original framers that the federal government would be so strong that they might destroy the state militias.
- Congress
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- Nov 07, 2020
The framers of our constitution had the sagacity to vest in Congress all implied powers: that is, powers necessary and proper to carry into effect all the delegated powers wherever vested.
- Long
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- Nov 07, 2020
I suspect that the framers of the Bill of Rights have long since rolled over in their graves.
- Change
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- Nov 07, 2020
The Framers of the Constitution knew that free speech is the friend of change and revolution. But they also knew that it is always the deadliest enemy of tyranny.
- Constitution
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- Nov 07, 2020
America was founded to be a beacon of liberty, particularly religious liberty. The framers of our Constitution sought to preserve religious liberty to such an extent that they made it the first right protected in the Bill of Rights.
- Constitution
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- Nov 07, 2020
Neither James Madison, for whom this lecture is named, nor any of the other Framers of the Constitution, were oblivious, careless, or otherwise unaware of the words they chose for the document and its Bill of Rights.
- Clause
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- Nov 07, 2020