Political Quotes

“I wish to speak to amendment No. 753 to H.R. 2112 by the distinguished Senator from New Hampshire, Senator Ayotte. This amendment would tie the hands of our national security and law enforcement officers in their efforts to secure our national security. I am surprised that this amendment is being offered at this time. Just a week ago, we learned of the foiled assassination attempt in the United States of the Saudi Ambassador to the United States. This case involved the Department of Justice, the FBI, and the DEA in a coordinated effort to prevent an act of terrorism on U.S. soil. I commend the agencies involved in the investigation. I was also pleased to see that, in this instance, members of Congress did not re-engage in armchair quarterbacking over whether the suspect should be transferred to military custody or sent to Guantanamo. Nearly two years ago, when a terrorist attempted to blow up an airplane on Christmas Day, some politicians used the occasion to criticize the Attorney General after the suspect was arrested. They made all kinds of claims about the risks of trying him in a Federal court, none of which came true. In fact, after obtaining useful intelligence from the suspect, that case proceeded without incident in Federal court where, last Wednesday, the defendant pleaded guilty. He now faces a potential life sentence. That successful prosecution adds to the more than 440 terrorism-related convictions since September 11, 2001.…”