Political Quotes

On the recordMay 18, 2017
Mr. President, the most important words in our Constitution are the first three words ``We the People,'' written in beautiful script and written many times larger than the rest of the document so that even if you are across the room, you know what this Constitution stands for--not a government by and for the powerful, not a government by and for the privileged, but as President Lincoln so eloquently said in his Gettysburg Address, a ``government of the people, by the people, and for the people.'' As a ``we the people'' nation, we adhere to a core set of principles that have guided us through good times as well as in dark moments. One of those key principles is the rule of law, that we are a nation in which not only is there the rule of law but in which no one is above the law. If we walked out of this Chamber right now, proceeded through the double doorways, and down the steps of the Capitol, we would be staring at the beautiful building of the Supreme Court. The entire building symbolizes the role of justice in our society. As you look at that magnificent Supreme Court--the broad, marble steps leading up to the door--you see these simple words inscribed above: ``Equal justice under the law.'' It is right there. You can almost see it from where I am standing now: ``Equal justice under the law.'' That is the principle that is part of the ethic of every courthouse in America--from the smallest, most rural courthouse to the big city courthouse square.…
Said by
Jeff Merkley
Democratic · Oregon

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