Civil rights

February 12, 2008 -- The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act – FISA – is intended to protect both our national security and the privacy and civil liberties of Americans.    » read more »

(As Prepared for Delivery)

February 12, 2008 -- The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act is one of our landmark statutes. For three decades, it has carefully regulated government surveillance in a way that protects both our national security and our civil liberties and prevents the government from abusing its powers. It is because FISA enhances both security and liberty that it has won broad support over the years from presidents, Congress, and the public alike.    » read more »

February 12, 2008 -- "Mr. President, last year Congress passed a temporary bill with a six month time limit that would give us the opportunity to carry out a thorough, thoughtful examination of how to utilize complicated new technologies in the surveillance of suspected terrorists without invading the privacy of innocent Americans. In the months since we passed that temporary act, we have worked in a bipartisan manner to consider the best course forward for permanent changes to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.    » read more »

February 12, 2008 -- "I believe we need to modernize our surveillance laws and give our nation’s intelligence professionals the tools they need to fight terrorism and to make our country more secure. At the same time, smart, balanced reform must also protect the rights and civil liberties of Americans. In my opinion, the FISA Amendments Act of 2007 falls short of these goals, and for that reason, I oppose the bill.    » read more »

(As Entered into the Record)

February 6, 2008 -- Mr. President, the amendment that I’ve offered with Senators Kerry and Menendez addresses a serious problem with the FISA bill that we are now considering, and I am very pleased that it has been incorporated into the bill by unanimous consent.    » read more »

January 28, 2008 -- Washington, DC – “Today, I will vote against Republican efforts to shortchange the debate on the FISA Amendments Act, important legislation that would modernize our surveillance laws and give our nation's intelligence professionals the tools they need to fight terrorism and make our country more secure.    » read more »

January 24, 2008 -- "Our great Nation was founded on the fundamental principle that all persons are created equal. We have long committed, and re-committed, ourselves to ensuring that all persons have the right to prosper through hard work and ingenuity. However, for many Americans, those rights still remain illusory. Today, we introduce a comprehensive bill to vindicate our founding principles and make the promise of equal opportunity in the workplace a reality for all Americans.    » read more »

January 24, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, DC — Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) today joined with Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA), Rep. John Lewis (D-GA), and more than a dozen Senate colleagues, to introduce the Civil Rights Act of 2008, to strengthen accountability when civil rights and workers’ rights are violated.    » read more »

January 24, 2008 -- WASHINGTON, DC— Today, Senator Edward M. Kennedy and Congressman John Lewis, along with more than a dozen Senate colleagues, introduced the Civil Rights Act of 2008, which will strengthen accountability when civil rights and workers’ rights are violated.    » read more »

January 22, 2008 -- Today, Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean issued the following statement on the 35th anniversary of Roe. v. Wade:

"As we mark the 35th anniversary of Roe v. Wade today, Democrats stand solidly in support of women and their right to make important life decisions about their health care.    » read more »

January 22, 2008 -- Chicago, IL -- Senator Barack Obama today released the following statement on the 35th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision.

"Thirty-five years after the Supreme Court decided Roe v. Wade, it's never been more important to protect a woman's right to choose. Last year, the Supreme Court decided by a vote of 5-4 to uphold the Federal Abortion Ban, and in doing so undermined an important principle of Roe v. Wade: that we must always protect women's health.    » read more »

1/22/2008 -- The Hillary Clinton campaign today reinforced its commitment to protect a woman’s right to make the most fundamental decisions about her life and health and announced a comprehensive agenda for women’s reducing unintended pregnancy and enhancing access to reproductive health care. The announcement comes on the 35th anniversary of the landmark Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade and follows the news of the endorsement of WCLA - Choice Matters, one of the oldest pro-choice advocacy organizations in the nation.    » read more »

Jan 22, 2008 -- Chapel Hill, North Carolina – John Edwards released the following statement on the 35th anniversary of Roe v. Wade.

"Roe v. Wade was an important step on the road to full equality, opportunity and dignity for women. On the 35th anniversary, it is important to reflect how far we've come as a nation, but more importantly how far we still have to go.    » read more »

01/22/2008 -- WASHINGTON DC – Senator John Kerry reasserted his support for Roe v. Wade, and all those who fight every day to protect a woman’s right to choose, today the 35th Anniversary of the Supreme Court decision. Kerry’s first speech on the Senate floor was in support of women’s reproductive rights, and he continues to push for strong and unbroken abortion rights to this day.    » read more »

January 22, 2008 -- Washington, D.C. — Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued the following statement today on the 35th anniversary of Roe V. Wade:

“Today we recognize the 35th anniversary of Roe v. Wade—a cornerstone of the women’s reproductive rights.

“On this day in 1973, the Supreme Court recognized that a woman has the power and fundamental right to choose what happens to her body and, by extension, her future.    » read more »