Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Federalism is the division of power between the Federal Government and the States. Family law, marriage, divorce have always been a matter for the States. This amendment attempts to seize it for the Federal Government. That is a major change in federalism, whatever the gentleman from California may say. It is most certainly an… Read more »

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of marriage, in support of families, and in support of national unity. I rise against this proposed constitutional amendment, against the drumbeat of election-year political demagoguery. This amendment does not belong in our Constitution. It is unworthy of our great Nation. The Senate could… Read more »

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, there have been a number of points made in this debate today with doubtful validity. We are told we should pass this amendment to protect marriage. But against what threat? If Henry and Steve want to get married, maybe that is a good idea, maybe it is a bad idea, but it does not threaten the marriage of anyone else, of… Read more »

Mr. Chairman, today we will vote on the most fundamental of American values, the right to cast a meaningful vote in a free and fair election. We have declared to the world that this is what we stand for. It is what we have insisted other nations do. We have made great progress, but that work is not finished. It is impossible to review the record without concluding that the Voting… Read more »

Mr. Speaker, the Bush administration constantly crows about protecting us from terrorists, but when you get down to nuts and bolts it is clear that the administration and the Republican leadership of this Congress have no idea what they are doing. Just yesterday, terrorists killed more than 180 people by attacking the mass transit system in Mumbai, India. You had better believe that every… Read more »

Mr. Speaker, today we see how a great Nation loses its freedom. This resolution seeks to chill free speech by punishing the New York Times and other publications for doing their job. That is unacceptable and, frankly, beneath the dignity of the United States Congress. All of us here took an oath to support and defend the Constitution. Yet those pushing this resolution seek to do just… Read more »

Mr. Chairman, I appreciate the gentleman yielding. I would simply like to point out that this amendment differs fundamentally from the Sodrel amendment that we heard a few minutes ago. The Sodrel amendment is subject to the disparaging comments that the gentleman from Virginia just made, because the Sodrel amendment does say no funds herein appropriated shall be used to enforce the… Read more »

Mr. NADLER. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment. The CHAIRMAN. The Clerk will designate the amendment. The Clerk designated the amendment. Mr. WOLF. Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent that the amendment be read. The CHAIRMAN. Without objection, the Clerk will report the amendment. There was no objection. The Clerk read as follows: Amendment offered by Mr.… Read more »

Mr. NADLER. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment. The CHAIRMAN. The Clerk will designate the amendment. The text of the amendment is as follows:   Amendment offered by Mr. Nadler: At the end of the bill, before the short title, insert the following: TITLE VIII--ADDITIONAL GENERAL PROVISIONS SEC. 801. None of the funds made available in this… Read more »

Mr. NADLER. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment. The CHAIRMAN. The Clerk will designate the amendment. The text of the amendment is as follows: Amendment offered by Mr. Nadler: Page 4, line 9, after the dollar amount, insert the following: ``(reduced by $40,000,000)''. Page 10, line 18, after the first dollar amount, insert the following: ``(increased by $40,000,000)''.… Read more »