Senate Proceeding on Apr 23rd, 2009 :: 3:26:55 to 3:32:25
Total video length: 12 hours 29 minutes Stream Tools: Stream Overview | Edit Time

Note: MetaVid video transcripts may contain inaccuracies, help us build a more perfect archive

Views:129 Duration: 0:05:30 Discussion

Previous speech:

Next speech:

3:26:51 to 3:27:12( Edit History Discussion )

Arlen Specter: seen in the past, where someone came before the s.e.c. and gave them the goods and they just passed it by, that that won't happen again. this should make it happen and strengthen this fine piece of legisl with that, madam president, i yield the floor. the presiding officer: the senator from pennsylvania. mr. specter: madam president, i ask unanimous consent that i may proceed to up to ten minutes in morning business. the presiding officer: without objection.

3:26:55 to 3:32:25( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Arlen Specter

3:27:13 to 3:27:33( Edit History Discussion )

Arlen Specter: mr. specter: i have sought recognition bill relating to limiting executive power because in the past period

3:27:34 to 3:27:54( Edit History Discussion )

Arlen Specter: we expansion of executive we have seen the president -- president georgw. bush use signing statements extensively.

3:27:55 to 3:28:15( Edit History Discussion )

Arlen Specter: we have seen president obama use a signing statement his short tenure, which in effect nullifies what the congress has done. the constitution is plain that there is a presentment of legislation to the preside he either signs it or vetoes it.

3:28:16 to 3:28:38( Edit History Discussion )

Arlen Specter: and what we have the presidents are now cherry-picking, pking the parts they like and the parts that they don't like. so i am submitting legislation for -- on presidential signing statements. the second issue of concern

3:28:39 to 3:29:00( Edit History Discussion )

Arlen Specter: involves the immunity for the telephone companies, which would deprive federal jurisdiction for some 40 cases. i believe that the telhone companies have become -- have been good citizens in providing very important information.

3:29:01 to 3:29:25( Edit History Discussion )

Arlen Specter: but i believe there is a maintain the jurisdiction of the federal courts and still not subject the telephone companies to the litigation or possible damages by having the government substituted as a party party defendant. i'm introducing legislation on

3:29:27 to 3:29:48( Edit History Discussion )

Arlen Specter: that subject. third, i'm introducing legislation which would establish a requirement that the supreme court of the united states take jurisdiction on all appeals involving the surveillance program. that program has caused a great

3:29:49 to 3:30:12( Edit History Discussion )

Arlen Specter: deal of controversy because of the issue as to whether the president has authority under article 2 to ignore the provisions of the foreign intelligence surveillance act. the legislation was terrorist surveillance program

3:30:13 to 3:30:33( Edit History Discussion )

Arlen Specter: was declared unconstitutional by federal court in detroit, an appeal take to the sixth circuit was la of standing. the in that case showed that there was under -- was sufficient basis for standing, very

3:30:34 to 3:30:54( Edit History Discussion )

Arlen Specter: flexible judicial doctrine. the supreme court of the united states denied certiorari. so at this point, we do not know if the president's exercise of authority there under article 2 of or not. certainly, if the president has th

3:30:55 to 3:31:15( Edit History Discussion )

Arlen Specter: it supersedeshe statute, but that is a matter which should have been decided a long time ago by the supreme court and the supreme court has avoided moving on that subject.

3:31:16 to 3:31:37( Edit History Discussion )

Arlen Specter: madam president, i have today an article which i have authored on executive privilege is appearing today in the "new york books" where i outline my intent to introduce these pieces of legislation. the article comes from a floor statement which i had prep

3:31:38 to 3:31:59( Edit History Discussion )

Arlen Specter: it has been reduced somewhat in size because of space limitations. so at this point, i ask unanimous consent that text of a floor statement on executive authority be included in the "congressional record" as if read in the presiding office without objection, so ordered.

3:32:00 to 3:32:20( Edit History Discussion )

Arlen Specter: mr. specter: i ask tha the bill on substituting government for the telephone companies together with the be included "congressional record" with the statement appearing as if read in full. the presiding officer: without objection, so ordered. mr. specter: i ask that the legislation on presidential signing statements be included

3:32:21 to 3:32:25( Edit History Discussion )

Arlen Specter: in the record accompanied by a statement, with the statement to be printed as if read in full. the presiding officer: without