"Thirty-eight States have that law, and yet this extreme bill in Congress would imperil every one of those laws."
"Today the United States is one of seven countries in the world that permits abortion after 20 weeks."
"The overwhelming majority of Texans do not want to see late-term abortions performed except in circumstances when necessary to save the life of the mother."
"It is a view shared by a tiny percentage of Americans, although a very high percentage of activists in the Democratic Party, who fund and provide manpower politically."
"I think we need to look at higher ground here."
"We need to be doing everything we can to improve access to the ballots and make it convenient and to make it easy."
"the basic premise of Section 5 pre-clearance is that elected representatives are incompetent minors"
"The rights of citizens of these United States shall not be abridged or denied."
"the Department of Justice has taken the position that Section 5 and indeed Section 2, as well, protects the ability to elect Democrats"
"you and I are both at this hearing. We are both elected officials in the State of Texas. We are both Hispanic."
"Mr. Secretary, my time is expiring, but with all respect, in my view that argument is a red herring."