Patrick Leahy: “It is from strength that America should defend our values and our Constitution. It takes a commitment to those values to…”

“It is from strength that America should defend our values and our Constitution. It takes a commitment to those values to demand accountability from the Government. In standing up for American values and security, I will vote against this bill. I can give you many reasons, but let me take one. We will turn back the protections of the Great Writ of habeas corpus. Since 13th century Anglo jurisprudence, we have had the Great Writ. We have had habeas corpus since the birth of our Nation. We fought a revolution to make sure we could retain it. We fought a civil war, and we fought through two world wars. Now, in a matter of hours, in a debate that has so often skirted the issues, we are ready to strip back habeas corpus. I cannot vote for that.”