Political Quotes

John Conyers: “Mr. Chairman, the reason Attorney Generals Levy, Richardson, Katzenbach, and Civiletti have explained they tried hard to…”

On the recordMarch 13, 1996
Mr. Chairman, the reason Attorney Generals Levy, Richardson, Katzenbach, and Civiletti have explained they tried hard to explain that what the Members are trying to do is unconstitutional. I know you want to fry them as soon as you can, I know that any time is too long. How dare a Member of Congress that serves on the committee that makes the law on this get up and say in broad daylight that it takes too long to execute a person in America, under the process we have? And instead of bringing this up on its own merits, we wait until we get an emotionally charged piece of legislation and bring up habeas corpus, which has no relationship to terrorism whatsoever. How long is too long? Mr. Chairman, by the way, Attorney General Edwin Meese, did he join the gentleman on that, too?
Said by
John Conyers
Democratic · Michigan

Editor's note · Context

Addressing concerns about the constitutionality of legislation related to habeas corpus and capital punishment.

Share

More from John Conyers

Oct 31, 2017

Now, as you and all of us are aware, President Trump has repeatedly promised to deport all 11 million undocumented immigrants.

congress.gov
Nov 6, 2017

I ask respectfully that we include relevant officials from the Department of Defense and the Air Force.

congress.gov
Nov 6, 2017

He should have been prevented from purchasing firearms from licensed gun dealers via the Brady background check system.

congress.gov
Sep 9, 2019

You got a good point, but we are going to be able to get it passed. Let's let it go to the courts.

congress.gov

Other voices in this conversation