Charles T. Canady: “I rise in support of Mr. Hyde's amendment-- an amendment which the prosecuting attorneys and the State attorneys general…”

“I rise in support of Mr. Hyde's amendment-- an amendment which the prosecuting attorneys and the State attorneys general from throughout the land believe is absolutely essential to make this bill a true crime fighting measure. Nothing has done more to undermine public confidence in the administration of justice than the seemingly endless cycle of appeals pursued by death row inmates. And now unless we adopt the Hyde amendment, the habeas corpus provisions of this bill threaten to make a bad situation intolerable. How can anyone justify this massive step in the wrong direction? How can anyone explain to the American people that we should grant convicted murderers on death row more opportunities to delay the execution of their sentences, more opportunities to thwart justice--and more opportunities to torment the families of their victims. Let me tell you, the people will not buy it. They want real reform. They do not want to further slow down the wheels of justice. Let us cure this deplorable situation. I urge you to vote for the Hyde amendment--and remove the unwise and unjust habeas provisions of the bill.”