Political Quotes

“Madam President, I rise to express my continued support for the America Invents Act. We have been working on patent reform legislation for several years now--in fact, almost the whole time I have been in the Senate--so it is satisfying to see the Senate again voting on this bipartisan bill. It is important to note that this bill before us is the same one that was passed by the Republican-controlled House of Representatives in June. I commend House Judiciary chairman Lamar Smith for his leadership on this monumental legislation. He has worked hard on this for many years, and I wish to pay a personal tribute to him. I also wish to recognize the efforts of my colleague from Vermont, Senate Judiciary Committee chairman Patrick Leahy. Over the years, he and I have worked tirelessly to bring about long overdue reform to our Nation's patent system, and I personally appreciate Pat for his work on this matter. I also wish to recognize the efforts of Senate Judiciary Committee ranking member Chuck Grassley of Iowa, as well as many other Senate colleagues who have been instrumental in this legislative process. The Constitution is the supreme law of the land and the shortest operating Constitution in the world. America's Founders put only the most essential provisions in it, listing the most essential rights of individuals and the most essential powers the Federal Government should have. What do we think made it on to that short list?…”