Political Quotes

Eva M. Clayton: “over a period of more than two centuries, we have amended the Constitution 27 times, 27 times in more than 200 years.…”

On the recordJanuary 25, 1995
over a period of more than two centuries, we have amended the Constitution 27 times, 27 times in more than 200 years. Madam Speaker, the text of the 27th amendment was prepared September 25, 1789, and was not ratified until May 19, 1992, 203 years later. With this amendment and the amendment for term limits, the majority proposes to ratify the Constitution two times in 100 days. The House Committee on the Judiciary approved the balanced budget amendment in exactly 1 week after we convened the 104th Congress. The Senate Judiciary Committee approved it 1 week after the House did. Now, 3 weeks after we have convened, we are being asked to actually amend the Constitution and send it to the States. This impetuous pace, this haste, is a far cry from John Marshall's of the Constitution as the document intended to endure for all ages. Madam Speaker, amending the Constitution is a serious matter. It is not to be done in haste.
Said by
Eva M. Clayton
North Carolina
Source
govinfo.gov

Editor's note · Context

Discussing the rapid pace of proposed constitutional amendments in Congress.

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