Constitution

Constitution Subcommittee Hearing on Asian Hate Crimes

March 18, 2021

We seem to be confusing opposition to the Chinese Government – including its actions during the coronavirus pandemic -- with hostility toward Americans of Asian descent. I find that very confusing, since many Asian Americans fled abusive governments, including and especially the Chinese Communist regime. Hostility to that government is not hostility to its victims – quite the contrary. Yet that is the connection the Democrats appear to be making.

Issues:ConstitutionJudiciary Committee

Respecting an Imperfect System

January 3, 2021

Columns

Many Americans still have serious concerns about the integrity of the vote in this election, and rightly so. In-person Election Day voting, with all the safeguards inherent in that system, has been replaced with mass mailing of ballots to every name on voter rolls that may be deceased or have moved, often followed by ballot harvesters to collect the surplus ballots and with no chain of custody.

Issues:ConstitutionGovernment Regulation

Drawing Inspiration and Instruction from Our Veterans

November 11, 2020

Speeches

There’s a curious thing about the oath taken by every member of our armed forces. Those who defend our country never swear to “support and defend” the United States Government. They never swear to “support and defend” the United States of America. The only oath they take is to “support and defend the Constitution of the United States.” The same oath is taken by every member of the government, from school board to President.

Issues:ConstitutionLocal Issues

Liberty and Union

February 15, 2017

Speeches

Liberty and Union
House Chambers, Washington, D.C.
February 15, 2017

Mr. Speaker:

One of the most troubling aspects of California's lurch to the left are the rise of two doctrines unknown in this country since the last gasp of the Southern Confederacy.

Issues:ConstitutionCalifornia

The Great Question

December 4, 2013

Speeches

The House Judiciary Committee yesterday raised the overarching question of our generation: will the American Constitution stand?

Issues:Constitution

Protecting the Constitution - Roseville Veterans Day Commemoration

November 11, 2013

Speeches

The oath of the uniformed services, taken by every living veteran in this country, including each and every one that we honor today, is clear and to the point: "To preserve, protect and defend THE CONSTITUTION of the United States." Think about that. The oath is not to "preserve, protect and defend the United States of America." It is not to "preserve, protect and defend the United States Government." The oath is specifically to "preserve, protect and defend THE CONSTITUTION of the United States."

Issues:ConstitutionLocal Issues

War, Peace and the Constitution

September 11, 2013

Speeches

Amidst the international humiliation and farce we have suffered with our abortive war with Syria, there are two good things the President has done, and they need to be noted. Last night, he stepped back from an international crisis that could have had catastrophic consequences, by deferring to the Russian diplomatic initiative. Thank God. And last week, he stepped back from a constitutional crisis, by deferring to Congress the decision over whether to go to war - as the Constitution requires.

Issues:Constitution

Lincoln's Legacy and our Enduring Constitution

September 17, 2012

Speeches

It seems that in the last few years, America's thoughts are returning to that remarkable man and searching him for answers to the questions that now perplex us in our own times.

Issues:Constitution

Cracking Freedom's Foundation

December 14, 2011

Speeches

I rise in opposition to Section 1021 of the underlying Conference Report (H.R. 1540, the National Defense Authorization Act).

This section specifically affirms that the President has the authority to deny due process to any American it charges with "substantially supporting al Qaeda, the Taliban or any ‘associated forces'" – whatever that means.

Would "substantial support" of an "associated force," mean linking a web-site to a web-site that links to a web-site affiliated with al-Qaeda? We don't know. The question is, "do we really want to find out?"

Issues:Constitution

Constitution

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