Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, we all believe that all people have inherent dignity and possess equal human rights. We all reject violence directed at individuals on the basis of their race, religion, biological sex, or sexual orientation. The problem with this bill, however, is that it borrows language from two existing laws: the Global Magnitsky Act and the so-called Section 7031(c) sanctions, and then creates a new reporting mechanism that is not focused on the human rights of all, but rather the human rights of particular groups. I don't see why we should focus on some human rights violations more than any others. Every person's human rights are of equal value and certain violations of those rights should not be subordinate to others. Furthermore, the bill's broad language has the potential to sweep in nonviolent conduct and impose visa restrictions on individuals engaged in that conduct. For example, it speaks about ``complicity'' and ``cruel treatment,'' vague terms. Is a parent overseas who rejects her minor child's wish for a sex change operation complicit in cruelty? Is the Pope engaged in ``degrading treatment'' when he expresses opposition to same-sex marriage based on the tenets of his religious faith? Mr. Speaker, there are no safeguards in the bill that address these situations.…”