Political Quotes

“I began this discussion on an amendment to reinstate the Department of Justice's traditional review role when considering Bell entry into new lines of business by congratulating the chairman of the full committee, the gentleman from Illinois [Mr. Hyde]. In the committee bill that the Committee on the Judiciary reported, we were able to come together and bring forward an amendment exactly like the one that is now being brought forward. I appreciate the chairman's role in this matter. The amendment is identical to the test approved by the Committee on the Judiciary, as I have said earlier this year, on a bipartisan basis. Everyone on the committee, with the exception of one vote, supported our amendment. It was named the Hyde-Conyers amendment. It received wide support, and I hope we continue to do that. It provides simply that the Justice Department disapprove any Bell request to enter long-distance business as long as there is a dangerous probability that such entry will substantially impede competition. Point No. 1: This amendment on the Department of Justice role is more modest than the same provision for a Department of Justice role in the Brooks-Dingell bill that passed the House on suspension by 430 to 5 last year. So, my colleagues, we are not starting new ground. This is not anything different. It has received wide scrutiny and wide support.”