[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 107 (Wednesday, June 28, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H6401]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               IS THIS ANY WAY TO TREAT THE CONSTITUTION?

  (Mr. DeFAZIO asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. DeFAZIO. Mr. Speaker, today the House will vote on an amendment 
to the Constitution, and for the first time ever probably vote a change 
in the Bill of Rights.
  Now, changing the Bill of Rights is of such importance that surely 
this will take place with due deliberation. Well, actually not. It will 
be a closed rule, no amendments, no substitutes, and precious little 
debate. One hour for the first change ever to the Bill of Rights in 
over 200 years.
  Is this any way to treat the Constitution and the Bill of Rights? 
This is not the first instance of disrespect for the Constitution and 
the Bill of Rights under the Republican majority. We had the infamous 
H.R. 666, a direct attack on the fourth amendment by authorizing 
warrantless searches.
  Mr. Speaker, now, at the end of all this the flag might fly on high, 
but the Constitution and the Bill of Rights will lie torn and tattered 
at our feet.


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