Political Quotes

“one week ago today, I addressed the Senate on President Obama's decision to bypass the Senate, and the Constitution as well, by making four ``recess'' appointments at a time when the President's recess appointment power did not apply. I explained in detail why the legal memo released by the Obama administration attempting to justify President Obama's actions did not hold legal water. Last Thursday, I laid out the case that this is not an isolated incident or a technical legal squabble. Rather, the President's recent actions are part of a pattern of disregard for the constitutional system of checks and balances. Today, I will address why such criticisms are justified and why such criticisms are necessary. First, is it legitimate for a U.S. Senator to criticize a legal opinion issued by the Office of Legal Counsel and the Senate-confirmed head of that office? I have no doubt Senators may criticize such opinions and, when the facts warrant, ask whether that office and its head are exercising the independence that is required for the Constitution to be upheld. Recently, we read some in the media apparently disagreed with this. They say it is wrong for a Senator to ever criticize a Senate-confirmed official's independence and judgment. They say that all a Senator can do is criticize the official's substantive arguments. I say nonsense.…”