Political Quotes

“I thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, at the outset, let me express my profound respect for Chairperson Lofgren, Ranking Member Bonner, my friends Mr. Hastings and Mr. McCaul, and all the members of the Ethics Committee for their dedicated efforts in this very, very painful matter. Having said that, I will vote against this censure resolution because I do not believe the findings warrant the severe penalty of censure. I reached this conclusion after reading and studying hundreds of pages of committee documents, including the subcommittee findings, the minority views of Congressman Scott, the report of the full committee, and myriad exhibits and correspondence. Mr. Speaker, censure is an extremely severe penalty. In the more than 200-year history of this body, only 22 Members have been subjected to censure. None in more than a quarter century. If expulsion is the equivalent of the death penalty, then censure is life imprisonment. Mr. Speaker, I have found no cases where charges similar to or analogous to those against Congressman Rangel resulted in censure. Thus far, this penalty has been reserved for such violations as supporting armed insurrection against the United States and sexual abuse of minors. In Congressman Rangel's case, as Mr. Scott pointed out, the committee chief council said he found no evidence of corruption, and the committee report itself said there was no ``direct personal gain'' to Congressman Rangel. Mr.…”