Dianne Feinstein: “Then I think it is the wrong tool for what is a basic human right against government because it is government that…”

“Then I think it is the wrong tool for what is a basic human right against government because it is government that refuses these people access. I think then you have to monitor government, and it would take a whole new bureaucracy to monitor government to see every notice was sent out and every change of address and that kind of thing. But I want to read a statement from someone who you do respect. I know you respect Professor Tribe. In addition, I know you respect the Attorney General of the United States. Just before you leave, I want to read a statement: Unless the Constitution is amended to ensure basic rights to crime victims, we will never correct the existing imbalance in this country between defendants' irreducible constitutional rights and the current haphazard patchwork of victims' rights. While a person arrested or convicted of a crime anywhere in the United States knows he is guaranteed certain basic protection under our Nation's most fundamental law, the victim of that crime has no guarantee of rights beyond those that happen to be provided and enforced in the particular jurisdiction where the crime occurred. This is similar to the discussion of how many angels dance on the head of a pin. I supported the first State constitutional amendment in 1982. It is now 18 years later. Even by constitutional amendments, what Senator Kyl said about 60 percent and 40 percent of victims being responded to is really correct.…”