Political Quotes

“I strongly support the substitute offered by Mr. Watt. This substitute goes to the heart of what we're debating. If the sponsors of H.J. Res. 36 really believe that the proposed amendments does not supersede the First Amendment, they ought to have no problem supporting this substitute. And if H.J. Res. 36 does supersede the First Amendment, then the sponsors should have the courage to admit it--so the American people can make an informed decision about this issue. In my view it is clear that H.J. Res. 36 directly alters the free speech protections of the First Amendment. There can be no doubt that 'symbolic speech' relating to the flag falls squarely within the ambit of traditionally protected speech. Our nation was born in the dramatic symbolic speech of the Boston Tea Party, and our courts have long recognized that expressive speech associated with the flag is protected under the First Amendment. Also, as H.J. Res. 36 is currently drafted, it will allow Congress to outlay activities that go well beyond free speech. The amendment gives us no guidance whatsoever as to what if any provisions of the First Amendment, the Bill of Rights, or the Constitution in general that it is designed to overrule. Some have suggested that the amendment goes so far as to allow the criminalization of wearing clothing with the flag on it.”