Political Quotes

“my colleagues on the Republican side have made the assertion that this legislation would interfere with the independence of the judiciary. That is a serious assertion, and it deserves to be respected and responded to. The judiciary is an absolutely vital branch of government that is independent. It is independent in the process by which it makes decisions that come before it for its decision. That is where it is independent. As much as I disagree with many of the decisions of the Supreme Court, that Court has the right, without interference from Congress, to make the decisions it makes. There is absolutely nothing in this legislation that interferes with the judicial power that the Court alone exercises in considering cases and making decisions--there is absolutely nothing--and to have our colleagues suggest that this legislation would do that is flat-out wrong. What this legislation responds to is the conduct of individual Justices that is, you know, frankly, pretty shocking. You get a call: Hey, there is a yacht that needs you on board. Hey, don't worry about how to get there; we have a private plane. Hey, don't worry--if you didn't come, that seat would be unoccupied. The Justice actually does it. They get on that plane and go, and they get on that yacht. Hey, by the way, we are having a fishing trip. It is in Alaska. It is really cool. Let's go. There is an empty seat. Why don't you come. It is worth $100,000, but it doesn't have to be reported.…”