Cord Byrd: “Mr. President, proposing to amend the Constitution of the United States is one of the most serious and profound…”

“Mr. President, proposing to amend the Constitution of the United States is one of the most serious and profound endeavors that this or any other Congress can undertake. It is not an act that any Senator or any Member of the House of Representatives, having sworn to support and defend the Constitution, can take lightly or inadvertently or absent great deliberation. On the contrary, a constitutional amendment must be considered thoroughly and exhaustively if it is going to be adopted here and ratified in the States. All of its ramifications must be rooted out and fully understood. While some may believe that it is important to consider an amendment with deference to the views of the American people--and I think that is important--I believe it is equally important that we also maintain a deep respect for the wisdom and the vision of those Framers who painstakingly crafted the Constitution 209 years ago.”