Political Quotes

On the recordFebruary 23, 1994
let me respond to the remarks made last evening by the distinguished President pro tempore, one of the finest Members to have ever served in this body, Senator Robert Byrd. I have great respect for Senator Byrd and I ordinarily agree with Senator Byrd. But this time we are in sharp disagreement. First of all, when I said that a constitutional amendment expresses philosophy and prevents Government abuse, he said that a constitutional amendment--if I am quoting him correctly--does not express philosophy. I differ. And what we are saying with this amendment is we have to have pay-as-you-go Government. But I think there is a philosophy behind almost all amendments. The first amendment giving us freedom of speech--that expresses, really, a philosophy that if we have ideas out here freely flowing about, that in the process we are going to pick the best ideas. I think that is a philosophy.
Said by
Sen. Paul Simon
Illinois
Source
govinfo.gov

Editor's note · Context

The speaker addresses a disagreement with Senator Byrd regarding the philosophical implications of constitutional amendments.

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