Political Quotes

“Last month I said that my Republican colleagues had declared their verdict against Planned Parenthood without ever holding a trial. Now it is even worse. A grand jury in Texas has not only refused to indict Planned Parenthood, but instead indicted two individuals who made this series of blatantly manipulated, false videos on which the Republicans base their attack. Despite this unequivocal finding by a grand jury, not to mention by several congressional committees that Planned Parenthood has violated no laws and done nothing wrong, the Republicans are forging ahead in this ludicrous effort to cut off all Federal funding. If we override this veto today, we will pass legislation that targets one organization and cuts it off from all Federal funding, including reimbursement for services provided, for no justifiable legislative reason beyond punishment for offering a constitutionally protected medical procedure. This is a clearly unconstitutional bill of attainder. The prohibition on bills of attainder exist to ensure that Congress may not usurp the powers of the courts by using legislation to punish an organization or individual that a majority in Congress doesn't like. The Constitution is clear. Congress cannot be judge, jury, and executioner. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time of the gentleman has expired.”