Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. There are two important very brief points for correction. I respect the gentlewoman from Texas, but she just suggested to us that this would be a duplicative law; thus, unnecessary because, as she cited the Federal criminal code, she says that law enforcement officers are already covered by the law. However, I would refer her attention to 18 U.S.C. Section 3592(c)(14), and then subsection (d), where it clearly says in a capital letter, ``a Federal law enforcement officer.'' So it is important to note that the existing Federal law does not cover State and local officers, which this bill would and, thereby, is one of the things that necessitates this action. Also, I want to point out, respectfully, that that same criminal code--just one-page later in section 3593, also in title 18, subsection (f)--says: ``Special Precaution to Ensure Against Discrimination.'' We know that Federal law already provides that a jury must specifically find that a defendant's race, color, sex, religion, national origin, or that of the victim, is not a factor in their decision. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Murphy).”