Political Quotes

“I thank the Presiding Officer and Chairman Grassley. After much debate, disagreement, and compromise, this week the Senate is going to be taking up a bill that he has worked very hard to see through to this day, a criminal justice reform package. The package that is on the floor today that we are debating and talking about amending shows the American people that bipartisanship remains alive in the U.S. Senate. Leaders on both sides of the aisle, as well as the White House, should be commended for their admirable and persistent cooperation and determination on this legislation. I believe the package's goals are noble. It is right to help those who have paid their debt to reenter society with the best possible chance to be productive contributors. It is right to take steps to ensure that sentences are fair and appropriately tailored to the defendant. It is right to calibrate the way we treat those in custody based on the risk they pose to society. But being from Colorado, it is hard to think about Federal criminal justice reform without thinking about the biggest problem the Federal law creates for Colorado--the refusal to respect the will of Coloradans when it comes to their decision on marijuana. That is exactly what I am trying to do, is to create a debate so that we can address the conflict between State and Federal law. Every day, Coloradans of good faith follow Colorado law to a T. Yet they are still criminals in the eyes of the Federal Government.…”