Political Quotes

“as a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, you are aware of the fact that I announced last week in the committee that we would vote to authorize subpoenas to Harlan Crow, Robin Arkley, and Leonard Leo as part of the Judiciary Committee's continuing investigation into the ethical situation at the U.S. Supreme Court. I do not make this decision lightly. Seeking authorization to issue subpoenas is a relatively rare occurrence in the committee. So today I come to the floor for a few minutes to explain why we have taken this significant step. Over the last several months, it has become clear that the Supreme Court is in desperate need of a binding code of ethics as we learned of lavish gifts and luxury travel that certain Supreme Court Justices have accepted from a gaggle of fawning billionaires. Let's start with Justice Clarence Thomas. The sheer number and value of gifts accepted by Justice Thomas is staggering, and the shamelessness with which he accepted them is stunning. For decades, Justice Thomas has accepted lavish gifts from Harlan Crow, a conservative billionaire with business before the Supreme Court. These gifts have ranged from a $19,000 Bible once owned by Frederick Douglass to a $15,000 bust of Abraham Lincoln. Justice Thomas also accepted private jet trips and free lodging at Bohemian Grove, an exclusive all- male, invitation-only retreat in the redwoods of California. And these are only examples of what Justice Thomas disclosed.…”