On the recordMay 1, 2017
I agree with my friend from Wisconsin. I think he laid out the case very well. I think the ruling of the circuit court in many ways tells us about the perils of a very juridical view of what a statute is all about. To refuse to take into account context, history, legislative history, and congressional intent that is reflected often in the kind of debate we are having here on the floor I think is not in the spirit of trying to interpret the laws as Congress intends them. Sooner or later I think Congress is going to have to address this kind of fundamentalist, originalist approach to laws that I think is nonsensical and leads to this kind of cherry-picking about what it was Congress intended to protect. I agree with my friend from Wisconsin. I think this bill is necessary because we have to clarify the law, apparently, for the courts and protect people like Dr. Rainey. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
