House Proceeding on Sep 25th, 2009 :: 0:31:10 to 0:33:45
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0:30:53 to 0:31:13( Edit History Discussion )

Jerrold Nadler: and, you know, this is not an easy process. i -- you know, i think i've come to learn that the house of representatives does not control the uted states se i wish we did. we'd get a lot more done. but that's not the way our system works. at this time, mr. speaker -- madam speaker, i'd like to yield four minutes to the gentleman from new york, mr.

0:31:10 to 0:33:45( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Jerrold Nadler

0:31:14 to 0:31:37( Edit History Discussion )

Jerrold Nadler: nadler. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman from new york is recognized for four minutes. mr. nadler: i thank the gentleman for yielding me time, madam speaker. the constitution prohibits congress from passing a bill of attainder. a bill that no matter what its form punishes an individual or

0:31:38 to 0:31:59( Edit History Discussion )

Jerrold Nadler: an easily asce we passed a bill of attainder, a bill stating that no federal funds should go through a specificall organization, acorn. now, in this conference report, we are about to do it again, and why? because of a desire to punish acorn. and yet as acorn's lawyer wrote to us recently, this is, quote,

0:32:00 to 0:32:20( Edit History Discussion )

Jerrold Nadler: to my research unprecedented and congressional history. never before has one corporation or entity has been the subject of such broad reaching punishment by congressional mandate. the punishment here did not have basic due process protections. it flowed out of a fox news

0:32:21 to 0:32:44( Edit History Discussion )

Jerrold Nadler: report called for lynching. there was no charges or finding of wrongdoing by acorn. all that occurred was a member of congress making a motion supported with a speech full of negative and largely inaccurate observations about acorn followed by a vote. and the fact is acorn has never been convicted of anything. lots of charges.

0:32:45 to 0:33:05( Edit History Discussion )

Jerrold Nadler: so far no proof in any court or administrative proceeding. and some charges may be true. i think not, and that's a personal opinion, indicates malfeasance. that's why we have courts and congressional investigation agencies. it may be that acorn is guilty of various infractions.

0:33:06 to 0:33:26( Edit History Discussion )

Jerrold Nadler: it should be vetted or sanconed by the appropriate administrative agency or judiciary. but congress must not be in the business of punishing individual organizations o people without trial. and that is what the provision in this conference report does. it prohibits any federal funds from going to acorn for any purpose. clearly is a punishment for

0:33:27 to 0:33:45( Edit History Discussion )

Jerrold Nadler: alleged misdeeds. this is a classic bill of attainder, and as such it's flatly prohibited by the constitution. we must not ignore the constitution. subject matter or the organization, the constitution and the ban on bills of attainder are there for the protec