Confirm Judge Roberts

CONFIRM JUDGE ROBERTS -- (House of Representatives - September 15, 2005)

(Mr. PITTS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. PITTS. Mr. Speaker, yesterday a judge in San Francisco ruled the Pledge of Allegiance, which we just said, is unconstitutional. Again, it is disturbing how a judge can strike down a voluntary act of patriotic expression. Any reading of the founding documents reveals that the first amendment was written to guarantee the right of expression. That should allow for public displays and proper expressions of faith in the public square. It also certainly allows for voluntary expressions of patriotism. But certain judges are ignoring it.

The Constitution established the judiciary as a coequal branch of government, not as the final and supreme authority. The hearings on Judge Roberts' nomination to the Supreme Court underscore the importance of confirming judges who understand this. We must maintain the proper checks and balances which our Founders designed. It is time for Congress and the President to stand up to the courts which have seized so much power to themselves. Ultimately, the survival of our constitutional Republic will depend on it.

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