The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“ANTITERRORISM LEGISLATION” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Justice was published in the Senate section on pages S6701 on May 15, 1995.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
ANTITERRORISM LEGISLATION
Mr. DOLE. Mr. President, I want to join today with President Clinton and with all of America in honoring the 157 law enforcement officers who were killed last year in the line of duty. These brave men and women paid the ultimate sacrifice so that all Americans may continue to live in freedom and peace Today, and every day, our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families.
Unfortunately, President Clinton could not resist the temptation to score some political points when he chose today's memorial ceremony to criticize congressional efforts to enact meaningful antiterrorism legislation. In his remarks, the President claimed he sees ``disturbing signs of the old politics of diversion and delay.'' And just yesterday, the White House Chief of Staff made the untenable statement that antiterrorism legislation is not moving in Congress ``because there is this diversion going on to try to create attention on the Waco incident.'' Mr. Panetta even went so far as to describe as
``despicable'' the idea that congressional oversight should be brought to bear on the Waco tragedy.
I know there has been a lot of talk recently about paranoia. But, judging by these remarks, it appears that the paranoia bug has infected the White House. Contrary to what President Clinton may believe, there is no hidden conspiracy on the Hill to divert or delay consideration of antiterrorism legislation. And Mr. Panetta may be disappointed to learn that
we have not concocted a secret plot to focus attention on Waco as a means of diverting attention from the administration's own antiterrorism plan.
Just look at the record: We have had 3 days of hearings, including hearings on the administration's controversial proposal to amend the Posse Comitatus Act. We have introduced comprehensive legislation that incorporates many of the administration's own antiterrorism proposals. And we continue to press ahead. In fact, my staff has been meeting regularly, even today, with White House and Justice Department officials to review--and perhaps improve--all of the various antiterrorism proposals that are now on the table.
So, as we move ahead on an ambitious legislative agenda here in the Senate, including an historic plan to balance the Federal budget by the year 2002, I hope the President and his Chief of Staff would show some restraint and patience.
Yes, we will give the administration's proposal every consideration. Yes, we will pass tough antiterrorism legislation. But our resolve to confront the terrorist threat must also be tempered with wisdom and restraint. What we do this year must withstand the test of time. After all, nothing less than our constitutional liberties are at stake.
One would think and hope that the President of the United States would understand this simple, but immensely important, point.
Mr. President, we have indicated to the President we would try to have a bill on his desk by the end of this month. That is still our hope. There have been a lot of delays, but we believe we can meet that challenge.
But I must say, we want to be very careful and not do something based on the emotion of the moment. We want to take a look at this legislation a year from now, 2 years from now, 5 years from now, to make certain we have not trampled on someone's constitutional rights, some group or some individual, down the road.
I think it is very important that we move prudently and we will do that, as we indicated and promised the American people.
I hoped the President would be working with us, instead of taking shots at us based on misinformation. I assume somebody gave him bad information; otherwise, I am certain he would not make a statement like that.
I yield the floor.
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