Patrick Leahy Quotes (186 Quotes)

I think that the law enforcement people want to be really careful about opening it, one, so they don't kill somebody, but secondly, so they're able to retain the evidence that might be there, ... This may be one of the better clues that we have, and I'm in no hurry for them to get it opened if it will help them get more clues.

Access to these highly accurate tests helps convict the guilty and exonerate the innocent.

I am troubled by reports that this narrow law has been twisted from one of a specific statute to secure testimony, into a broad detention authority that has resulted in some notorious abuses,

It's up to us to ask him about what he said or did at that time.

The position of attorney general is of extreme importance, ... The attorney general needs the full confidence of the president, and needs the full confidence and trust of the American people.

The American public is sick and tired of being lied to.

It appears that the letter sent to me may contain enough spores to kill well over a 100,000 people, but it also may well have evidence, fingerprints or anything else,

I will make up my mind how to vote for or against Judge Roberts based on Judge Roberts , ... And then I'll take each one as they come along.

The quake yesterday, the rupture moved to the southeast, ... American Morning.

Freedom and security are always at tension in our society. We tried our best to strike the right balance. Now it's time to return to discussion of what aspects we got right and what modifications need to be made.

The balance and direction of the court are now at issue with two vacancies.

For the Bush administration and Republican congressional leaders to allow the Patriot Act to expire would be irresponsible.

If there's a crisis at 2 o'clock in the afternoon or 2 o'clock in the morning, I don't want a president who's asked 'What do we do now' say, 'Wait a minute, I'll call up a few advisers and whatever they tell me to do, I'll do,'

I have become increasingly concerned that he's not showing a willingness or ability to be sufficiently candid and forthcoming with the Senate, ... And without that candor and without being so forthcoming, I would have difficulty in having confidence in his abilities to carry out the responsibilities of solicitor general and to be the voice of the United States.

They are going to have hope that their lives will be saved, ... You've made this state proud and you've made this country proud.

We could have the scope going back to the Kennedy assassination - how many gunmen there were,

These kinds of crimes are more serious than others, more deserving of federal attention than others.

We are a democracy -- let's have checks and balances. Let us have a government of checks and balances.

These answers do not help the Senate much in reaching an informed decision about this nomination.

Our criminal justice system is not working as it should when innocent people are convicted of serious crimes and then spend decades -- or have even reached the end of death row -- before the mistakes, if ever, are caught.

At a time when the Republican Party has control of all three branches of the federal government, my worry is that the system of checks and balances may become short-circuited,

Only by doing so can we note the true cost of war and we can properly dignify and honor each person killed or wounded as an individual -- as a father, a son, a daughter, a mother -- not just as collateral damage, ... That's Marla's legacy.

The Senate's advice and consent responsibility takes on an added dimension.

Suppose (administration officials) felt that the rescue operations of the government, whether it's state, local or federal, was being handled in an inept way, or evacuees are being mistreated, ... Does that give them a right to bar the media, who may want to expose that.

I would hope they would be a lot more complete than last time,

This hearing is the only opportunity for the American people to examine what kind of justice John Roberts will dispense.

flouts (the First Amendment) for the sake of political posturing and in the name of protecting our children.

Well, this kind of condescending attitude does not go over well with the Senate, ... We have the responsibility to determine how best to do it. Now they've done it on their side. Now it's up to the Senate to decide how to do it.

The rights of copyright holders need to be protected, but some draconian remedies that have been suggested would create more problems than they would solve.

Members of this committee have asked a number of questions of Mr. Flanigan about these incidents, but each set of responses leads to more questions.

I can honestly say I am going into this with a completely open mind, ... I have no idea how I'm going to vote.

If you're going to fix a broken system, it's going to require cooperation by the states, by the federal government, ... catalyst for the reforms that have to happen in the state capitals where most of these criminal cases come from.

definitely somebody who has a very clear philosophical legal view.

Both Republicans and Democrats want thorough answers, ... Without them, it could be a very, very long hearing.

I don't believe in Democrats now seeking revenge, and I will not be part of that, ... will not be a pushover hearing.

During several high-profile matters in your professional career, you have appeared to serve as a facilitator rather than an independent force in the policy-making process.

If she does a good job on the questionnaire, I think it puts her in good stead for the hearing.

I take him at his word that he does not have an ideological agenda and that he will be his own man as chief justice.

I find many terms to be confusing, subject to manipulation or worse.

But Roberts is a man of integrity, ... I can only take him at his word that he does not have an ideological agenda.

Is Senator Specter speaking for himself, or the entire committee

Many of the questions really weren't answered at all. You've got a one-word answer and you've got a two-part question -- that's not answered,

This president is in the midst of a radical realignment of the powers of the government and its intrusiveness into the private lives of Americans. This nomination is part of that plan. I am concerned that, if confirmed, this nominee will further erode the checks and balances that have protected our constitutional rights for more than 200 years.

I find it very, very troubling, and I think most of Congress would,

I don't want to know my info is being sold in some chat room in Eastern Europe because some company handled it improperly,

Four months ago, when we first started talking about the package of death penalty reform, I don't think that too many people thought this would become a front-burner issue this year, or that even we might have legislation this year. But now hearings are imminent in both the Senate and the House, governors and senators and presidential candidates are being asked about it.

He is a man of integrity. I have taken him at his word that he does not have an ideological agenda and will be his own man. I hope that he will, and I trust that he will.

gave the wrong impression to the rest of the world.

Why do the President and Vice-President constantly change the subject when asked to explain why things are going so badly in Iraq? The answer is simple. They have been consistently wrong about Iraq, and the results speak for themselves.

This is a commonsense solution that gives the Senate more time to craft a consensus bill that will promote our security while preserving our freedom.