Political Quotes

“Mr. President, I rise today to speak in favor of the Feinstein-Lee amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act. At the outset, I wish to note this amendment is the product of bipartisan discussion and collaboration on an issue that is important to all Americans. I am pleased to have been a part of that process. Senator Feinstein and I have worked closely together over the course of the past year to craft what we believe represents a very prudent course in protecting both our Nation and our liberties at the same time. Security is important. And precisely because it is important it must not be acquired at the expense of our individual liberty. It may well be said that government's most important basic responsibility is to protect the liberties of its citizens. Our Nation has fought wars on American soil and around the world in defense of individual liberty, and we must not sacrifice this most fundamental right in pursuit of greater security, especially when we can achieve security without compromising liberty. The Feinstein-Lee amendment does precisely that. It protects liberty by ensuring that no American will be deprived of due process. The fifth amendment states: No person . . . shall be deprived of life, liberty or property, without due process of law. The sixth amendment, likewise, guarantees that individuals accused of a crime will have access to an attorney and access to a trial by a jury consisting of that person's peers.…”