Political Quotes

“I am disappointed my unanimous consent request was not agreed to. I wish to explain my action here today. The comments I am about to give are an explanation of a vote I intended to take later today. As Senator Chambliss said just before me, the powers of the PATRIOT Act are too important for us to risk their expiration as this body considers whether to amend them or revise them. I could not agree more. I offered a 1-month extension in order that this body may take the time that is needed and deserved to seriously debate and conduct oversight over the PATRIOT Act. This is a significant piece of national security legislation that I believe is worthy of further consideration and debate. Law enforcement agencies--Federal, State, and local--work day in and day out to protect all of us from real threats that go largely unknown and unnoticed by most Americans. I want law enforcement to have all the appropriate tools in their toolbox to accomplish this goal. Unfortunately, there are also, in my view, legitimate concerns about the legislation on which we are about to vote--concerns that my colleagues and I, including the occupant of the chair, on the Judiciary Committee, reviewed and addressed in detail, and in a bill ultimately passed, S. 193, which forms the core of the Leahy-Paul amendment of which I am a cosponsor. We put those provisions before this Chamber. I am disappointed we don't have consent to move forward in order to have time to debate these reforms to the PATRIOT Act.…”