Political Quotes

“I am pleased to cosponsor S. 830, a bill introduced by Senator Specter to amend the Federal Criminal Code to prohibit the making of false statements, misrepresentations or false writings to Congress or to any congressional committee or subcommittee. Until the Supreme Court decided Hubbard versus United States in May of this year, that had been the law of the land for 40 years. In the Hubbard case, the Supreme Court decided that section 1001 of title 18, United States Code, prohibits the making of false statements only to executive branch agencies, and not to the courts or Congress. This decision overturned a 1955 Supreme Court case, which squarely held that 'one who lied to an officer of Congress was punishable under Sec. 1001 . . .'. S. 830 would make clear that the courts, Congress and 'any duly constituted committee or subcommittee of Congress' are covered by the prohibition in section 1001 against false statements. It would restore the clear message to all who may appear before a committee or subcommittee of the Senate or House: Do not lie to us.”