Charles T. Canady: “I believe that we have seen a history of abuses in this area. There is a compelling public interest in ensuring that…”

“I believe that we have seen a history of abuses in this area. There is a compelling public interest in ensuring that local governments and the States are able to obtain relief in an expeditious manner. Now we are not tying the courts' hands here. We are simply saying to the court, ``Act, consider these matters, deal with them because they are of public import because they are matters that have a grave impact on the public safety. They're matters that in effect are life-and-death matters.'' Let me say this also: We are not setting a lower standard for anybody's rights here. This bill has been carefully crafted to ensure that people who have a legitimate claim, people whose rights, whose constitutional rights, are in fact being violated, can have a remedy. But what we want to stop is the overinvolvement of the courts in managing the prison systems. I say to my colleagues, That's what this is about, and, if you want to have a more rational policy in this area, you will oppose this unfavorable amendment.”