Political Quotes

“there is considerable irony in the fact that the distinguished chair of the Committee on the Judiciary should lead off the presentation of this amendment by pointing to the example of what 17 States do with their statutes of repose, because the whole theory of this bill is to junk States' rights. If the people in Illinois in their constitution want a statute of repose with or without this, I say that is fine. If the people in Texas want it, that is fine. It is not our job to come along and junk States' rights and say, you have to do it the way we say do it in Washington. That is what is the theory and the approach of this bill, is not to rely on the States but rather to consider and argue and to contend that we have this terrible patchwork of States' laws that pose a great burden. There was a time in this country, my colleagues, when that terrible patchwork that is criticized here on this floor today was called something a little different. It was called the laboratory of democracy, the fact that each State might look at the laws of its civil justice system and decide what is most appropriate. And it is that laboratory of democracy with reference to our State civil justice system that is being thrown out the window of this capitol building by this piece of legislation. There is a second problem, of course, alluded to by my friend, the gentleman from Texas [Mr. Bryant]. And that is that this amendment takes a blame the victim approach.…”