Senate Proceeding on Oct 7th, 2009 :: 8:22:05 to 8:25:55
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8:22:04 to 8:22:26( Edit History Discussion )

Robert Menendez: this topic, to senator mendez. the presiding officer: the senator from new jersey is recognized. mr. menendez: thank you, and i thank the distinguished senator for yielding. consent that the time until 5:55 be for debate prior to a vote in relationo the vitter amendment numbered 2630, with the time equally divided and controlled in the usual form.

8:22:05 to 8:25:55( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Robert Menendez

8:22:27 to 8:22:48( Edit History Discussion )

Robert Menendez: that at 5:55 p.m., the senate proceed to vote in relation to the vitter amendment 263 with no amendment in order to the amendment prior the presiding officer: without objection. mr. menendez: mr. president? the presiding officer: the senator from new jersey. mr. menendez: mr. president, i rise to speak against the vitter amendment. this amendment is downright dangerous. it is dangerous to threaten police funding to cities like

8:22:49 to 8:23:10( Edit History Discussion )

Robert Menendez: new york, san angeles, chicago, washington, d.c., and smaller towns across america whose cities have chosen to encourage their community members to report crime. now, the senate tabled the same amendment last year, and the reason this body was wise to defeat it last year was because we understood that some

8:23:11 to 8:23:31( Edit History Discussion )

Robert Menendez: of the toughest law enforcement officials in our countries, from sheriffs to prosecutors and a whole host of law enforcement officials in between, understand the cooperation of the communities essential in fighting crime. senator vitter's amendment would deny moneys to at least 50 cities in a whole host of states

8:23:32 to 8:23:52( Edit History Discussion )

Robert Menendez: represented by members on both sides of the mrpresident, i want to solve the crime. i want to get the perpetrator. i want to convict the person and put them in jail. i don't want the opportunity to go to waste because some political statement having nothing to do with the core

8:23:53 to 8:24:13( Edit History Discussion )

Robert Menendez: issue of security i communities. do we want witnesses to be able to essential, crucial eyewitness testimony about we want them to hide in the darkness and not talk to police because they are afraid of their immigration status? i comes forth and testifies against a perpetrator andas no

8:24:14 to 8:24:35( Edit History Discussion )

Robert Menendez: fear to do so. that's why local police oppose this amendment. the unwillingness of that person to come forward because of a fear may lead to other crimes being committed by that same individual in the same community. perhaps to a child who might be molested, to a person who might be assaulted, to a might get robbed.

8:24:36 to 8:24:57( Edit History Discussion )

Robert Menendez: so instead of catching the perpetrator, we prefer to deny moneys to communities that have a view that community policing is in their best interests, and that community in as part of that effort. these cities have made decisions across the landscape of this country, urban, suburban, and rural, to prosecuting the crime and finding the criminal and having

8:24:58 to 8:25:18( Edit History Discussion )

Robert Menendez: the witness come us all about that crime so we can stop that person from continuing to perpetrate crimes against other people communities than we care about the person's status. these cities have decided they do not want a chilling effect to prevent people from reporting crime. that's why tough law enforceme will tell you, sheriffs will

8:25:19 to 8:25:39( Edit History Discussion )

Robert Menendez: tell you, prosecutors will tell you, and they will tell you they want the community to participate in fighting the crime, and that's vote to the presiding under the previous order, the

8:25:47 to 8:25:58( Edit History Discussion )

Robert Menendez: queson is on amendment 2630. a senator: i ask for the yeas and nays. the presiding officer: is there a sufficient second? there appears to be.