VIOLATING CORE TENETS OF OUR UNITED STATES

On 2026-02-04, Representative Madeleine Dean (D-PA-4) delivered a floor speech titled "VIOLATING CORE TENETS OF OUR UNITED STATES" in the House. The speech addressed immigration and also covered taxes.

VIOLATING CORE TENETS OF OUR UNITED STATES

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 25 (Wednesday, February 4, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 25 (Wednesday, February 4, 2026)] [House] [Page H1992] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] VIOLATING CORE TENETS OF OUR UNITED STATES (Ms. DEAN of Pennsylvania asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.) Ms. DEAN of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, ``Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble.'' I read these words today, the very first of the Articles of our Bill of Rights, the First Amendment, because 250 years later, our President does not seem to recognize them. We were born from assembly. We live by free speech and a free press. These are the core tenets of our United States. Yet, the President floods American cities with lawless, thuggish ICE agents. Their grotesque operations have killed two Americans in Minneapolis. It is hard to articulate the sheer brutality and the bone-chilling horror of the Renee Good and Alex Pretti murders, citizens shot dead while exercising their First Amendment rights. Two journalists have been arrested. Children have been taken from their homes. U.S. citizens have been unjustly detained. At this point, more than 35 people have died in ICE custody, and 15 have been shot. If we allow this to continue, then what does that say about our Nation? ____________________