[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 44 (Thursday, April 14, 2005)]
[House]
[Page H1973]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 DEFENDING THE CONSTITUTION AND THE JUDICIARY'S RIGHT TO MAKE DECISIONS

  (Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute.)
  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, it is interesting, as I 
listened to a colleague at the beginning of our messages to the House 
who seemingly wanted to shut the lights off in this place and 
extinguish the Constitution, which reflects that we are not only a 
republic but we are a democracy. Democrats have a right to disagree 
with Social Security policies, medicaid, medicare, and educational 
policies, because this is a democracy.
  Proudly so, we represent half of the United States of America, and we 
will continue to fight for our issues. One of those issues has to be to 
support this Constitution, the belief that we are a country governed by 
laws.
  The Constitution designates under article 3 that we have a separate, 
independent judiciary, one that should be safely secured. Therefore, 
when Members of the opposite side of the aisle begin to attack court 
systems simply because they do not agree, they have violated the 
constitutional provisions that we adhere to.
  It is a shame that judges are cowering in the corners because Members 
have decided to speak ugly against their right to make a decision. When 
conferences are held in Washington, D.C., and ultraconservatives begin 
to attack the judiciary, it is time for this congressional body to 
stand up and defend the Constitution.

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