Charles T. Canady: “I rise to urge the Members of the House to reject this motion to recommit. Like most of the arguments that have been…”

“I rise to urge the Members of the House to reject this motion to recommit. Like most of the arguments that have been made against this bill, this motion to recommit has nothing to do with the substance or purpose of the bill. I just ask the Members to look at what we have before us. There is a provision here that deals with protecting the public from prostitution or illegal drugs. There is nothing in the bill before the House that would in any way interfere with the ability of any local government to protect the public from prostitution or illegal drugs. That is obvious. This is an effort to divert attention from the real issue which is now before the House as we move toward passage of this bill, and that issue is whether American citizens and others in this country who have their property taken by the action of government should have meaningful access to the Federal courts. Protecting the public from prostitution or illegal drugs is not a taking. As a matter of fact, if one uses property for such illegal purposes, it is subject to forfeiture and confiscation by the government. Those laws are constitutional and valid. Nothing in this bill has anything to do with that. The same thing could be said about the provision controlling adult book stores and distribution of pornography.”