Abuse of Power by Republicans

ABUSE OF POWER BY REPUBLICANS -- (House of Representatives - June 16, 2005)

(Ms. LEE asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute.)

Ms. LEE. Mr. Speaker, how can we spread democracy abroad if it is being, quite frankly, abused here in the House?

The Republican abuse of power appears to no know bounds. Last Friday the Republicans literally cut off debate on the renewal of the USA PATRIOT Act. Apparently, it was not enough to bar witnesses critical of the PATRIOT Act, or to force Democrats to fight to get a critical witness in front of the committee, or to schedule that hearing for a day when the House was not in session. When dissenting voices started to speak, the hearing was abruptly ended, and the microphones were turned off.

Critics of the PATRIOT Act say that it represents the threat of unaccountable, undemocratic government, and the behavior of its Republican supporters here only serves to prove that point and is proof of that.

Hubert Humphrey once said that ``Freedom is hammered out on the anvil of discussion, dissent, and debate.''

I hope that this Republican abuse of power will be ended before it is allowed to undermine our freedom.

Once again, how can we spread democracy abroad when it is being abused right here at home in the House of Representatives?

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