Seizing the Moment: Vivek Ramaswamy’s Call to Restore Self-Governance
Vivek Ramaswamy rallied state lawmakers to dismantle federal overreach and embrace a new era of constitutional accountability.
Washington, DC – On Thursday, States and Nation Policy Summit (SNPS) attendees heard from Vivek Ramaswamy, co-head of the newly announced Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), entrepreneur and former presidential candidate, Ramaswamy delivered a stirring address, urging state lawmakers to seize what he described as a “once-in-a-generation” opportunity to remove burdensome federal regulations and restore the constitutional principles of self-governance.
“I actually really feel truly optimistic for the future direction of our country…on January 20, we are about to see the beginning of that new dawn.”
Ramaswamy framed his optimism by celebrating recent US Supreme Court decisions, including West Virginia v. EPA, which curtailed the EPA’s power to regulate greenhouse gases, and the landmark Loper Bright decision, which ended decades of the Chevron doctrine.
“These cases mean that potentially a majority of existing federal regulations… are unconstitutional based on what the Supreme Court has already told us.”
He emphasized the role of state governments in reclaiming authority from Washington, urging ALEC’s legislative members to prepare for greater responsibility under a leaner federal government.
“Federalism is the key to actually safely and soundly shutting down the overexpansive federal government,” he said. “Without you, this doesn’t work.”
The speech also resonated on a deeply personal level, as Ramaswamy reflected on the promise of the American Dream and the importance of individual liberty.
“Remind our children that every one of us in this country has our own unique God-given gifts. We create a country where each of you is able to achieve the maximum of your own God-given potential without any system or bureaucracy standing in your way.”
Ramaswamy’s rhetoric echoed founding principles but with an urgency reflective of the current landscape. He closed his address with a rallying cry:
“It is 1776 in America right now… Our best days as a country will be ahead of us.”
For ALEC’s members, the speech was both a call to action and a reminder of their role in shaping the nation’s trajectory. Whether his vision of federalism and state empowerment will translate into policy remains to be seen, but Ramaswamy’s message left little doubt about his belief in the states’ potential to shape America’s future.