LAME-DUCK POLITICAL NEWS: CONGRESS VOTES TO REPEAL 22ND AMENDMENT; PRESIDENT ROCKEFELLER SIGNS CONTROVERSIAL LEGISLATION INTO LAW
*December 6, 1978: During the lame-duck legislative session following the 1978 Midterms, the Democratic-controlled Congress voted overwhelmingly to repeal the 22nd Amendment In controversial legislation called "Stability of American Government Act" which had previously passed in the Democratic-controlled US House of Representatives back in late July.
After five months of delaying tactics, the Democratic-controlled United States Senate voted in a 73-23 vote passing the controversial legislation which was signed into law by President Rockefeller, who was asked if there was going to be backlash against him or Congress for doing this extreme measure: "I strongly believe the American people has confidence that regardless who's in the White House, that person can be elected any times he or she wants."
Political observers and analysts viewed the Stability of American Government Act as a pretext for the possibility of future Presidents to stay in office forever. With the repeal of the 22nd Amendment, supporters say it's necessary to have quiet stability during good and tough times.
President Rockefeller, who turned 70 on July 8th, is eligible to seek reelection for a second full four-year term in 1980. Co-sponsors of the legislation: United States Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA) and US Rep. Henry B. Gonzalez (D-TX) said that Rockefeller is allowed to seek a third full four-year term in 1984 if he wants to, which could make him as the nation's longest-serving President with 13 1/2 years by January 20, 1989.
HELMS BLASTS STABILITY OF AMERICAN GOVERNMENT ACT; CALLS IT A POWER-GRAB
*Not surprisingly, conservatives blasted the Stability of American Government Act particularly United States Senator Jesse Helms (R-NC), who held a bitter rambling press conference "This piece of garbage legislation is nothing more than a POWER-GRAB! It appears to me that Congress being run by big government liberals shoved this crap down our throats! In 1980, the American people will remember when they vote!"
ROCKY TODAY! ROCKY TOMORROW! ROCKY FOREVER? AMERICANS OVERWHELMINGLY APPROVE OF PRESIDENT ROCKEFELLER'S JOB PERFORMANCE
*December 25, 1978: During the height of the Christmas holiday break, Gallup polled millions of Americans in the aftermath of the 1978 Midterm elections and the lame-duck legislative session, the result was overwhelming majority of Americans voiced approval of President Rockefeller's job performance with 83% approving; 6% said the opposite.
Asked if they supported the controversial Stability of American Government Act, 73% of Americans in all 51 States said they strongly approve; only 12% expressed skepticism.
US SUPREME COURT AFFIRMS STABILITY OF AMERICAN GOVERNMENT ACT IS THE LAW OF THE LAND FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.
*December 27, 1978: The US Supreme Court ruled 8-1 in favor of the Stability of American Government Act by effectively declaring it the law of the land for generations and generations to come.
This pretty much effectively kills the 22nd Amendment forever as political analysts predict it'll embolden several States to abolishing term limits as well. Anti-term limits advocates proudly praised the Stability of American Government Act as proof that stability in local, state, federal government is needed.
COMING SOON IN CHAPTER 5 OF THE AMERICAN REPUBLIC: Highlights of President Rockefeller's State Visits to the Caribbean and Latin America.