Barney Frank: “I think the issue is not that my friend didn't go to law school, the question is in what language did he not go to law…”

“I think the issue is not that my friend didn't go to law school, the question is in what language did he not go to law school, because I am talking about English here; not law. What I am talking about is the phrase that says you cannot release nonviolent felons because of the effects of actions by government officials on the lives of persons confined in prison. In other words, nothing to do with overcrowding, but conscious abuse of people's rights. I do think in some cases where you have got that pattern of abuse, ordering the release of nonviolent felons might be something they may want to consider. For that reason, while I would have voted the amendment the gentleman described, I cannot vote for the gentleman's amendment as offered.”