Political Quotes

“I support a clean reauthorization of the expiring provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act and against Senator Paul's amendment on firearms records. Over the years, I have always supported and defended the second amendment. I have consistently voted to ensure that the Federal Government does not limit the constitutional rights of the millions of American gun owners. I cannot support the amendment offered today by Senator Paul because it will damage the prospects of ensuring that critical national security laws are not reauthorized and could potentially hurt the second amendment rights of American citizens. In fact, the National Rifle Association said today in a vote alert, ``While well-intentioned, the language of this amendment as currently drafted raises potential problems for gun owners, in that it encourages the government to use provisions in current law that allow access to firearms records without reasonable cause, warrant or judicial oversight of any kind.'' Senator Paul's amendment actually removes protections from firearms owners. Currently, under the PATRIOT Act, in order to obtain firearms records, investigators must first go through a rigorous application process and then seek a Federal judge's approval. Senator Paul's amendment would remove this judicial review. If Senator Paul's amendment became law and removed judicial review, investigators would then use a grand jury subpoena in order to obtain the records.…”