Founded in 1991, the Republican Liberty Caucus works to advance the principles of limited government, free markets and individual liberty within the Republican Party.

Outspoken Tennessee RLC Vice-Chairman Matt Collins attended Senator Bob Corker’s town hall meeting on the debt crisis in Nashville. Senator Corker is the junior Republican Senator from Tennessee.

Collins said, “Senator Corker, it’s highly hypocritical of you to vote for more debt one year and then rail against the debt the next year. But, regardless, would you support a bill that would allow an unrestricted audit all of the gold held by the federal government and the federal reserve? Don’t you think the people have a right to know how much gold the government is holding?”

According to Collins (listen to the audio here), “He fumbled a bit, obviously not expecting this question and then came back with something to the effect of, ‘Well, I’ve never thought about that — but I’ll take a look and get back with you in writing’.” Collins responded, “Well sir, I have seen your voting record and it’s obvious you haven’t read the Constitution and I would like to present you with a copy now.” Collins walked to the stage and attempted to hand it to him.

Senator Corker then said it was “offensive” Collins had made that accusation and offered him a copy of the Constitution. Several other questioners inquired about the Fed and constitutional authority. And when asked if his vote for the TARP bailout was constitutional, he said that the courts haven’t said it wasn’t and that it’s up to the courts to interpret the Constitution. That didn’t go over very well with the crowd.

Collins received press in The Tennessean and The Nashville Post for his effort to hold Senator Corker to account. In addition to being involved in the RLC, Mr. Collins is also the former Vice-Chairman of the Davidson County Republican Party, which is based in Nashville. He was voted out of his position in 2009 for his outspoken pro-liberty views.