Political Quotes

“First let me thank the gentleman from Florida for yielding. He is a former member of the Intelligence Committee, and I just have to thank him for his tremendous leadership and for his opening statement which laid out many of the concerns that many of us have about this bill. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to this very controversial bill that directly attacks the bedrock values of America. I'm talking about the constitutional guarantees of due process for those charged with crimes. Now, against the wishes of President Obama; our Defense Secretary, Mr. Panetta; the Director of National Intelligence, Mr. Clapper; and FBI director, Mr. Mueller, this bill allows the Federal Government to seize suspected terrorists, including United States citizens, and hold them in indefinite detention. Arresting citizens and holding them without trial violates the Fifth Amendment's due process guarantees. This bill fundamentally is un- American, and it threatens all of our liberties. We cannot allow those who seek to terrorize the American people to win by trashing the very civil liberties at the heart of our national identity. Giving up American ideals will not make us safer. This legislation undermines our national security and our democracy. Mr. Speaker, I would like to enter into the Record this letter from 26 retired generals and admirals concerned about how the United States treats detainees.…”