Mr. Chairman, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Chairman, every word that we have heard uttered on this floor by the majority side has, as Mr. Scott said, increased the likelihood of the courts ordering that the words ``under God'' in the Pledge of Allegiance cannot be recited in a public, in a school situation where there is an imputation of coercion or pressure… Read more »

“This House appears infected with a hostility toward the rule of law” Rather than offer real solutions to rising gas prices, stagnant wages, or the lack of affordable health care in this country, the House of Representatives today decided to consider H.R. 2389, the Pledge Protection Act.  The bill would limit federal courts’ jurisdiction over cases pertaining to… Read more »

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 »

The House of Representatives is considering H.J.Res. 88, a Constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriages.  The Senate has already rejected the amendment, making it clear that the Republican House leadership’s intention in bringing up the bill is solely to score political points with the far right wing.  The House is poised to reject the measure this afternoon.… 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 »

Congressman Jerrold Nadler released the following statement today in support of Israel’s ongoing efforts to protect her citizens and soldiers from terrorist violence: “Hezbollah’s cold-blooded, unprovoked attacks are a vivid illustration of the ongoing danger that Israel faces from the terrorist regimes that surround it.  Like any other country, Israel has the… Read more »

The House of Representatives is poised to pass H.R. 9, reauthorizing the Voting Rights Act of 1965.  Congressman Jerrold Nadler is the ranking Democrat on the Constitution Subcommittee, which has jurisdiction over the bill.  Congressman Nadler delivered the following remarks on the House floor in support of reauthorization of this critical civil rights protection. “Mr.… 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 »