Political Quotes

“Mr. President, in reserving the right to object, the idea that we would not be taking the issue of lynching seriously is an insult, an insult to Senator Booker, to Senator Tim Scott, to me, and to all of the Senators, past and present, who have understood that this is part of the great stain of America's history. To suggest that anything short of pulverizing someone so much that the casket would otherwise be closed except for the heroism and courage of Emmett Till's mother, to suggest that lynching would only be a lynching if someone's heart were pulled out and produced and displayed to someone else is ridiculous--and on this day, the day of George Floyd's funeral and a day that should be a day of national mourning. In 2018, the Senate unanimously passed bipartisan antilynching legislation, which I proudly introduced with the only other Black Members of this body--Senator Cory Booker and Senator Tim Scott. It was a historic moment. It marked the first time in the history of our country that Federal antilynching legislation had been passed by the U.S. Senate. It passed again by unanimous consent in 2019. Senator Paul is now trying to weaken a bill that was already passed. There is no reason for this. Senator Paul's amendment would place a greater burden on victims of lynching than is currently required under Federal hate crimes laws. There is no reason for this. There is no reason other than its being cruel and deliberate obstruction on a day of mourning.…”