Orrin Hatch: “I am truly gratified at the action that I believe the Senate is about to take. Passage of this legislation is urgently…”

“I am truly gratified at the action that I believe the Senate is about to take. Passage of this legislation is urgently needed. This bill, passing at this time, will be a memorial to the victims of terrorism. I was so moved the other day, when survivors of terrorism came here to Washington to plead again for enactment of this legislation. Since the Senate first acted last June, we have been working to reach this point. The result of that effort is a conference report that, in my view, deserves the support of every Member here. This legislation represents a landmark effort to address an issue of grave national importance--the prevention and punishment of acts of terrorism. This bill includes long-needed reforms to Federal habeas corpus procedures and provides vital provisions for victims of terrorism and other Federal crimes. It also adds important tools to the Government's fight against terrorism, and does so in a temperate manner that is protective of civil liberties. I have insisted from the beginning that this bill address the needs of the victims of terrorist acts, so I am particularly pleased about the provisions we have included for them.”