Byron Dorgan: “But the decision by which they have overturned some legislation that retracted the right of habeas corpus for those who…”

“But the decision by which they have overturned some legislation that retracted the right of habeas corpus for those who might be suspected of some sort of illegal activity and so on in this country, that decision by the Supreme Court is a very important decision. I could not believe when the Senate passed a piece of legislation saying that someone who is apprehended or detained in this country would not have the right of habeas corpus. That is a different kind of country than I know. There are countries in this world where they can pick you up right off the streets and say: Do you have papers? Even if you have papers they can throw you in jail, and you have no right to anything, including filing a writ to say: A government cannot hold me. A government must prove there is reason to hold me. That is unbelievable that this Congress it--not with my vote. But I commend the Supreme Court. I haven't had much opportunity to do that recently, I must say. But their ruling this morning gives me some hope.”