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.
“A NATION THAT WELCOMES AND RESPECTS PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Justice was published in the House of Representatives section on pages H753-H754 on Jan. 31, 2017.
The Department is one of the oldest in the US, focused primarily on law enforcement and the federal prison system. Downsizing the Federal Government, a project aimed at lowering taxes and boosting federal efficiency, detailed wasteful expenses such as $16 muffins at conferences and board meetings.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
A NATION THAT WELCOMES AND RESPECTS PEOPLE FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. Jackson Lee) for 5 minutes.
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I have had the privilege of working with Republican and Democratic Presidents, and, I might add, that I have had the sadness to be standing with them during times of need of this Nation. Living knowledge, during my tenure, President George W. Bush was President during 9/11.
I was in this Capitol on September 11, 2001, and so I was physically evacuated. As we were leaving with no understanding of what was happening--particularly for those of us who had come for early morning meetings, not having the full impact of what had happened in New York and not having the full knowledge. But as we were fleeing this building, we took a look to our right. We could see the billowing black smoke in the Pentagon. We were running for our lives. We were running as Americans, Muslims, Jews, Christians, people of many faiths, many races, many genders, many orientations. We were running as Americans.
Those families at Ground Zero watched in horror or heard in horror of their loved ones lost, in spite of the heroic efforts of first responders. First responders were lost. There, too, was a multitude of the United Nations.
This Nation has always welcomed and respected people from all over the world, and so it disturbs me when those of us who have now taken a visible and stoic stand against an unconstitutional executive order begin to receive attacks from the very person who should be bringing this Nation together.
I take great insult from the firing of Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates, a person whom I have worked with personally as a senior member of the House Judiciary Committee. She is of profound integrity, honesty, respectability, and professionalism. I congratulate Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates for being a patriot.
Last evening, she rendered this statement: ``In addition, I am responsible for ensuring that the positions we take in court remain consistent with this institution's solemn obligation to always seek justice and stand for what is right. At present, I am not convinced that the defense of the executive order is consistent with these responsibilities nor am I convinced that the executive order is lawful.''
Responding to that, almost like Nixon, some decades ago, this White House fired Attorney General Yates and proceeded to make this statement: ``The acting Attorney General, Sally Yates, has betrayed the Department of Justice by refusing to enforce a legal order designed to protect the citizens of the United States. This order was approved as to form and legality by the Department of Justice Office of Legal Counsel.''
Sally Yates explained it, but there is no betrayal of the Department of Justice. It is an entity. It is not the American people, and it is not a Constitution. She has no obligation to the Department of Justice. She has an obligation to the American people to uphold the Constitution.
{time} 1045
The White House proceeds to go on to say--I assume President Trump--
``Ms. Yates is an Obama administration appointee who is weak on borders and very weak on illegal immigration,'' of which I don't know their proof for such.
But what I will say to you is that she was doing her civic and patriotic duty by remaining there as a senior member who was the only person there that could sign subpoenas. She was doing America a favor.
So I will say, in the backdrop of that, were you at the Bush Intercontinental Airport, as I was, when an Iraqi citizen came in, a legal permanent resident with a green card, and was detained for 5 hours while his employer and lawyers were gathering and hovering outside; and CBP, to my understanding, how frightened they were, how they did not know what was going on, did not allow them to be able to speak?
Or did you listen last night when an Iraqi woman indicated that her husband was murdered and she hid for 12 years in Iraq until she was able to bring her children here?
Did you hear that refugees are being denied to come in for 120 days on Friday, Mr. Speaker, and that their papers will expire?
Finally, Mr. Speaker, did you hear that the perpetrator in Quebec had on his social media that he was supporting or praising President Trump?
Enough is enough. Repeal this order. Pass the SOLVE Act. Pass the USA Act that I have introduced as well that includes gender and religion.
Stop this madness. The executive order is unconstitutional.
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