Political Quotes

“I rise today in conjunction with my colleague from Oregon to discuss what is before us here on the floor, which is the extension of the PATRIOT Act. I rise as well to express my opposition to the extension of the three most controversial provisions in the PATRIOT Act which are before us here today. The process by which we have considered these provisions has been rushed. I believe we have done a disservice to the American people by not having a fuller and more open debate about these provisions. Along with Senator Wyden, I want to acknowledge the difficult position the leader of the Senate, Senator Reid, has been in. I want to thank him for trying to find an agreement to vote on more amendments. We were very close to reaching that agreement, but even in that context, the debate we have had on this bill has been insufficient. If you look at what we are about to approve, it is a one-page bill which just changes the dates in the existing PATRIOT Act. This is a lost opportunity. As a member of the Intelligence Committee, I can tell you that what most people--including many Members of Congress--believe the PATRIOT Act allows the government to do--what it allows the government to do-- and what government officials privately believe the PATRIOT Act allows them to do are two different things. Senator Wyden has been making that case. I want to make it as well.…”