Political Quotes

“I rise to speak in support of Senator Lee's amendment No. 1425. Despite the protections of the First Amendment, over the course of the pandemic, many States have placed heavy-handed restrictions that have limited Americans' freedom to gather for worship, to meet in smaller groups for religious purposes, or even to sing praise and worship. At first, many Americans accepted these restrictions. Our Nation was grappling with the new and deadly virus, and the restrictions were only supposed to be temporary. But as the weeks and months dragged on, States lifted restrictions on restaurants, on casinos, on museums, while keeping tight restrictions in place for synagogues, for churches, for temples, for mosques, and other religious gatherings. Senator Lee's amendment requires the Department of Justice to investigate whether the government applied the same rules to religious groups that were applied to similar nonreligious organizations and businesses and whether those restrictions complied with the First Amendment. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that Senator Lee's written remarks on his amendment be inserted into the Record. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection.”