[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 77 (Tuesday, June 4, 2013)]
[House]
[Page H3028]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
{time} 1230
ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE UNITED STATES
(Ms. JACKSON LEE asked and was given permission to address the House
for 1 minute.)
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I am a strong advocate for the First
Amendment and for the freedom of the press. I believe that there is no
question of the sanctity of that provision, even to the extent of being
a strong supporter of the SHIELD Act so many years ago, and now joining
my colleagues, Congressmen Ted Poe and John Conyers and others, on
legislation to provide that armor.
But I will not stand by while malicious and unsubstantiated attacks
go against a very fine and outstanding public servant, and that is the
Attorney General of the United States of America, Eric Holder. I was in
the Judiciary Committee when he was asked a question about whether or
not he had prosecuted or intended to prosecute anyone in the press. And
his words were very clear:
We have a long way to go to prosecute the press. You've got
to go a long way. With regard to the potential prosecution of
the press for the disclosure of material, that is not
something I have been involved in or heard of or would think
would be wise to do.
That is what Holder said in the hearing. Holder did not have anything
to do with prosecuting anyone, and that particular affidavit or
subpoena was in 2010. The Justice Department has not charged or
prosecuted anybody in the press. Stop the malicious attacks on Eric
Holder and the President of the United States of America. Enough is
enough.
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