Thomas Daschle: “I rise to recognize all the Senators who participated in this important and healthy debate. In particular, I thank…”

“I rise to recognize all the Senators who participated in this important and healthy debate. In particular, I thank Senator Leahy and Senator Byrd for their tireless defense of the Constitution. In addition, however, I also want to recognize Senator Feinstein for her commitment to victims of violence and for working to ensure that they are treated with fairness and decency and respect. While I strongly disagree with the approach the proponents of this amendment have taken, I completely agree with the sentiments they express. Victims should have a strong voice in our criminal justice system. Senator Feinstein has been committed to this cause for decades and I believe her passion has brought new focus to this important issue. Like many of us, I know what it is like when violence strikes your own family. I would not wish that pain on anyone. And I certainly do not want to see any victim's grief compounded by a needlessly callous or insensitive judicial system. The question we have been debating, however, is not whether victims should have a voice in the criminal justice process. The question before us is whether we must amend our nation's Constitution to achieve that goal.”