Political Quotes

“there has been much said recently about the rule of law and bipartisanship. The proposed amendment of the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Moakley) to Rule XXIV, clause 14 of the Rules of this House would enhance both. With his amendment, we can cast a bipartisan vote that would protect the integrity of the lawmaking process. With this amendment, we can strengthen the rule of law by improving the rules by which we pass our laws. Specifically, this amendment says that our power as Members should be used to pass public laws, to punish private citizens for their political party affiliation. Mr. Speaker, for a half a century, our Nation and its veterans stood up against a form of government that said one's job depended upon one's political party affiliation. It was wrong then, and it is wrong today. This is a common-sense amendment that the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Moakley) has proposed. In the spirit of the comity of this day, I would urge Republicans and Democrats to support that amendment. Let our words and deeds be bipartisan. In conclusion, let me let the amendment speak for itself. It says that a Member, Delegate or Resident Commissioner may not in his official capacity intervene, including threatening to deny access, to prevent the hiring of, or to encourage the dismissal of an individual by any lobbying organization, trade association, or law firm based upon the political party affiliation of such individual.”