[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 81 (Friday, June 17, 2005)]
[House]
[Page H4658]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   SUPPORTING CHAIRMAN SENSENBRENNER

  (Mr. PENCE asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. PENCE. Mr. Speaker, 1 week ago the House Committee on the 
Judiciary convened a memorable hearing on the PATRIOT Act. Members of 
the Democratic minority called the hearing. All of the witnesses at the 
hearing opposed the PATRIOT Act, and, in fact, broadly opposed 
administration action. Since I was there, I can say with authority, 
throughout a contentious hearing the Chairman, the gentleman from 
Wisconsin (Mr. Sensenbrenner), was tough, fair and respectful to 
Members and witnesses regardless of their point of view.
  Now, some have called the hearing undemocratic. Well, there were hard 
issues, strong disagreements, but they were debated under the rules 
fairly administered. Undemocratic? Hardly. This was democracy at work.
  I commend the chairman, the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. 
Sensenbrenner) for his leadership of the Committee on the Judiciary and 
am proud to serve on it.

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