Harry Flood Byrd said "This will damage the courts. What will be the credibility of the courts? How much respect are the people going to have for black-robed justices who require the legislative branch to raise taxes; unelected justices? Their decisions would meet with cynicism if they began to order tax increases and funding cuts to enforce this amendment. The judiciary is going to be irreparably harmed, the executive will be harmed, and the legislative branch will be harmed. I hope that Senators will not look upon this vote as a throwaway vote or as a vote for which they can escape responsibility. They are going to be saddled with a heavy responsibility if this amendment is ever adopted." @ PoliticalQuotes.com

On the recordFebruary 23, 1994

This will damage the courts. What will be the credibility of the courts? How much respect are the people going to have for black-robed justices who require the legislative branch to raise taxes; unelected justices? Their decisions would meet with cynicism if they began to order tax increases and funding cuts to enforce this amendment. The judiciary is going to be irreparably harmed, the executive will be harmed, and the legislative branch will be harmed. I hope that Senators will not look upon this vote as a throwaway vote or as a vote for which they can escape responsibility. They are going to be saddled with a heavy responsibility if this amendment is ever adopted.

Said by

Harry Flood Byrd

Virginia

Source

govinfo.gov

Editor's note · Context

Senator Byrd is discussing the potential negative impacts of a proposed amendment on the judiciary and legislative branches.

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