Alan Grayson: “With regard to the first amendment, this amendment is identical to language that was inserted into the Military…”

“With regard to the first amendment, this amendment is identical to language that was inserted into the Military Construction-VA bill yesterday by a voice vote. It expands the list of parties with whom the Department of Homeland Security and other relevant entities are prohibited from contracting. This includes contractors who have been convicted of fraud, theft, forgery, bribery, et cetera, according to the terms of the amendment and otherwise. With regard to Grayson No. 3, the next amendment, this amendment is a simple one. It reads: None of the funds made available by this Act may be used in contravention of the First, Second or Fourth Amendments to the Constitution of the United States. As you will notice, the same sentiment and relevant language appears in my colleague Mr. Ellison's amendment addressing racial discrimination and other matters. I gladly support his efforts, which passed unanimously by voice vote last Congress, and hope the same will be possible of my amendment in this Congress. With regard to the last Grayson amendment, I regret that my colleague Representative Holt could not be here to offer this amendment himself. He is in New Jersey today, remembering Senator Lautenberg. The amendment that I call up is actually the Holt-Grayson amendment, the last amendment. It's an amendment that Mr. Holt attached to the bill in the last Congress as an en bloc amendment offered by Representative Aderholt, which passed unanimously.…”