Chuck Schumer: “I thank the Senator for her answer, and I simply make three points. Before I do, I want to refer to a letter from Chief…”

“I thank the Senator for her answer, and I simply make three points. Before I do, I want to refer to a letter from Chief Justice Rehnquist in opposition saying that a statute would be far preferable to a constitutional amendment. This letter is to Judy Clarke, President of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. I will read it: I have received the letter of March 21, commenting on various measures pending in Congress relating to the judiciary. The Judicial Conference has recently taken a position in favor of making provision for victims' rights by statute, rather than by constitutional amendment; this would have the virtue of making any provisions in the bill which appeared mistaken by hindsight to be amended by a simple act of Congress. It makes the very point. The Senator admitted that negotiations are still ongoing. We are debating a constitutional amendment that must be passed by two-thirds of each Chamber and then three-quarters of the States. We are still debating the language.”