On the recordMarch 8, 2024
the Lee amendment has such good language that it is already in law. The Justice Manual already establishes a standard with virtually verbatim language as in the Lee amendment. Furthermore, the Justice Manual reflects the express prohibitions against discrimination by law enforcement, enacted by Congress in the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 and in title VI of the Civil Rights Act. It also reflects consistent holdings by the Supreme Court on due process and equal protection. The only time they believe this has been successfully implemented was during the Trump administration, when there was fear that they were going to weaponize the Department of Justice, and this standard, which is already in the law, at least discouraged many from participating in that exercise. The good news is this language is redundant, and it is unnecessary. The bad news is, if we adopt it, we are going to stop the process of appropriating and avoiding closing the government this evening. I urge my colleagues to vote no on the Lee amendment.
