Mike Pence: “1 week ago the House Committee on the Judiciary convened a memorable hearing on the PATRIOT Act. Members of the…”

“1 week ago the House Committee on the Judiciary convened a memorable hearing on the PATRIOT Act. Members of the Democratic minority called the hearing. All of the witnesses at the hearing opposed the PATRIOT Act, and, in fact, broadly opposed administration action. Since I was there, I can say with authority, throughout a contentious hearing the Chairman, the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Sensenbrenner), was tough, fair and respectful to Members and witnesses regardless of their point of view. Now, some have called the hearing undemocratic. Well, there were hard issues, strong disagreements, but they were debated under the rules fairly administered. Undemocratic? Hardly. This was democracy at work. I commend the chairman, the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Sensenbrenner) for his leadership of the Committee on the Judiciary and am proud to serve on it. ____________________”