I just want to read article V and make clear what the Senator from Alabama is saying. When it comes to amending the Constitution, the first two words, if we are going to change the Constitution of the United States, the first two words are…

I would just say that checks and balances work as long as there is truly a balance. I think what we have is some people today in our judiciary, because of the activist judges, who are now saying we are all going to play by these rules, all…

That would be, first, I think, dangerous, period. But it worries me even more because the Supreme Court that sits right here in Washington, DC, is certainly not what I would call Main Street America, certainly not what I would call a…

Certainly not where the Sweetheart City is, in Colorado. The bottom line is that we have a court that is out of control. We have courts across this country, like in Massachusetts, that are also deciding, taking their lead from what is…

The answer to that is clearly yes. In fact, the Senator is a much better lawyer than I ever was, and I say that to the Senator from Alabama as someone who was a prosecutor and a very accomplished lawyer. I made it up to a fourth year…

That is a great question. I say to the Senator from Alabama that going back to Madison, Adams, and the Massachusetts Constitution talked about the importance of a balance of powers, a checks and balances; that if one branch of the…

I return the thanks to the Senator from Colorado for his willingness to step forward and introduce this legislation. He has carried it with a firmness of purpose and a gentle touch, which is his way, in the way of bringing this issue…

It is one of the most disputed and argued--we have committees that argue over jurisdiction just between where bills are referred. We all know this in all of our lives, when there is an area of authority, that area of authority is…

I believe people can make contributions and should make contributions and should be able to contribute to our society, particularly here on the Hill. I know, as has been reported widely in the press, there are a lot of people in this…

does the Senator from Colorado wish to comment on Members who oppose this constitutional amendment yet support the language of it, which I find to be somewhat remarkable, but they support the definition of traditional marriage and have…

Yet we have heard on the floor today, have we not, that those of us who support a definition with which they agree, that Members who have criticized us for offering this, are intolerant, hateful, and gay bashers for proposing language…

The potential exists if DOMA is maintained and protected that you could have--let us just say some of the more liberal State courts that we have out there, whether it is Massachusetts, New Jersey, California, New York, big States--most of…

Whether it was Senator Smith's comments, or Senator Cornyn's comments, or Senator Allard's, and others, they are trying to bring to the debate two fundamental points, which are that every person in America, every person in this world, has…

You can say I'm a hater. But I would argue I'm a lover. I'm a lover of traditional families and children who deserve the right to have a mother and a father.

I suggest we continue to work together to see if we can come up with a plan on how to proceed. It would be optimal to have a vote, a substantive vote. As the Senator from Nevada may not be aware, there are different opinions on how to best…

I think one of the main facts we tend to overlook in this institution is the importance of the debate--the importance of engaging in a subject matter and having a colleague focus on an issue and having the American public focus on an…

The last point my colleague made is one that is very important. A lot of people in the Senate, and even some across the country, have suggested that the Defense of Marriage Act will stand. There is a lot of legal opinion. The Senator from…

I conclude by saying this is an important vote. This is not just a vote to confirm a district judge in Arkansas. I know that does not sound like a big deal to people who are hearing my voice. It is a district court, a small court…

let me first congratulate both Senators from Arkansas for their eloquent statements and their strong defense of Mr. Holmes. It speaks volumes of the qualifications and credibility of this nominee that these two Senators would step forward…

Additionally, we are united in advocating continued support for these critical programs so we can meet our national security needs of tomorrow. The Department of Defense's S&T program provides a unique contribution to the job of equipping…

Senator Bingaman is correct. For over 50 years, Department of Defense investment in university research has been a dominant element of the Nation's research and development infrastructure and an essential component of the United States…

I have said to the Senator from Oregon on more than one occasion, if I believed hate crimes were a proper crime for the Federal Government to be passing on, I would vote for this as well as the others, but I do not believe, as the Senator…

I rise to speak in favor of Gene Pratter, who is the nominee, as you noted, on the Executive Calendar for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Gene has an outstanding record of community service, of service to the legal community, working…

Today in Palmyra, PA, volunteers at the Lebanon Valley Brethren Home will collect food and sell baked goods for the 'Great American Bake Sale' to support their local food bank. In hundreds of small towns, suburban communities, and cities…

I add my congratulations to Judge Van Antwerpen. He has been an excellent public servant and distinguished jurist and will make an excellent contribution to the Third Circuit.