JD: I've been advocating for change for three years, lobbying state legislators, testifying at legislative hearings, writing about deficiencies in the criminal justice system that lead to wrongful convictions and the reforms needed to close up those cracks.
There is legislative pragmatism — writing bills that can pass.
(Mr. McCain said the group would not unveil anything until they had all of the legislative language written).
The legislative branch writes the laws, which define the classes of people who are subject to deportation.
In May, the Hudson County legislative delegation wrote to Gov. Jon S. Corzine criticizing the memorial for blocking views and for its cost.
A county legislative official wrote to me, "The Cayuga County Jail did not hold juveniles, defined as those between the ages of 16-17, in solitary confinement".
Sure, I can still tweak legislative amendments, write papers, give a short speech or two, even kick a ball for a toddler.
Paul V. Kelly, assistant secretary for legislative affairs, wrote last month to Representative Henry Hyde, the Illinois Republican who chairs the International Relations Committee, that the administration agreed that "radio broadcasting into Afghanistan is crucial for informing and influencing the Afghan people".
"I am persuaded by the act's text and legislative history," wrote Justice Ginsburg, "that Congress intended no continuing reduction of women's compensation, pension benefits included, attributable to their placement on pregnancy leave".
Because the Finance Committee typically deals with impenetrable tax provisions, its custom is to vote on legislative proposals written in "conceptual language" -- in other words, plain English -- and to leave the legalese for staff to work out later.
