Political Quotes

“this is the wrong way and the wrong time to consider this bill. Voted out of committee on Halloween, this is your typical Ways and Means trick-or-treat bill; a "trick" for hard-working employees, whose pay would be lowered, as originally proposed in a provision abandoned only last night, a "treat" for those who refuse to be held accountable. If this measure is so absolutely vital in the war on terrorism, why has the gentleman from California (Mr. Thomas) and the Republican leadership sat on it for 36 days, for 5 weeks, doing nothing about this piece of legislation? No opportunity was offered to either the Ways and Means Committee or the Committee on the Judiciary, to consider the civil liberties questions associated with this measure. This bill is part of a larger, very troubling trend in our country today. In defending our country from terrorists, it is critically important that we not erode the very values and principles for which this country stands--that we not destroy our democratic system in a misguided attempt to save it. What separates us from our enemies is our respect for the rule of law, and as we seek to protect our freedom, we must not adopt measures that undermine our democracy.”