Political Quotes

“Mr. President, I briefly wish to share a few thoughts about Judge Thomas Vanaskie, who has been nominated for the Third Circuit Court of Appeals--a very important position. He currently serves on the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. I do intend to support his nomination, giving deference to the President, but I would just like to share a thought or two about his testimony before the Judiciary Committee. Judge Vanaskie testified he believed American courts should not use foreign law in interpreting the Constitution, but he did believe the Supreme Court properly used foreign law in cases such as Lawrence v. Texas, and I think that is a bit contradictory. He also testified that the Supreme Court properly used foreign law in Roper v. Simmons, where the Court concluded that the Constitution, because of ``evolving standards of decency,'' would now prohibit States from imposing the death penalty on juveniles who commit murder. I think that is a legitimate public policy issue to discuss, but the question is, Does the Constitution say a State is not able to decide at what age people are executed? Judge Vanaskie said, at another point, that foreign law was relevant to determining fundamental constitutional rights. Well, our Constitution is the one we have, and judges, if they are faithful to their oath, will enforce our Constitution--the one we have.…”