Melvin Watt: “Mr. Chairman, this is the height of micro-management, the Congress of the United States debating a provision that would…”

“Mr. Chairman, this is the height of micro-management, the Congress of the United States debating a provision that would set attorney's fees and take that discretion away from judges. Mr. Chairman, it is the height of hypocrisy for people who believe in States rights to now say that all of a sudden we are going to set attorney's fees. This amendment is not even limited to Federal cases. It is the height of inhumanity to say that a person who has his life in the balance and has not even been found guilty or innocent, has his life in the balance, we ought to be passing an amendment like this. Mr. Chairman, we ought to be ashamed if we pass this amendment. My colleagues, come to your senses and defeat this amendment today.”