Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, in recent weeks, it has been sad to read that a judicial nominee, Brian Buescher from Nebraska, has been targeted for his membership in the Knights of Columbus as a part of his Senate Judiciary Committee's review of qualifications. The assertion that being a Catholic and being a member of the Knights of Columbus would prevent Mr. Buescher from properly and effectively serving our Nation is preposterous. Religion should not be a factor when measuring someone's ability to serve their country. I remind Senators that our Constitution, in Article VI, states that ``no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States.'' The Knights of Columbus was originally founded over 120 years ago. It is a society for working-class and immigrant Catholics and is still true to its founding principles of charity, unity, and fraternity. As a Catholic, my faith plays a significant role in every aspect of life and fosters a respect for the religious rights and freedoms of others. I was encouraged to see last month that the Senate unanimously passed a resolution confirming that membership in a religious organization does not make a person unfit for public office. Fundamental American values, among which are commitments to religious freedom and human rights, will always be the cornerstones of U.S. domestic and foreign policy.…”