HHS Students Meet Rep. Donald Payne

Amir Manraj with Darlene Murray and Rep. Donald Payne

Political Science students met Rep. Donald Payne on October 26th, 2005 at the Longworth Office Building on Capitol Hill. After studying and debating many bills Rep. Payne voted on, the students were able to ask questions about those issues and many others from Rep. Payne's career in Congress. More pictures, questions and quotes below.

It's wrong that we're in Iraq. Bush lied. Saddam Hussein had nothing to do with 9/11 and everybody knows it. We had the fly zones, Saddam was not going anywhere.

John- Do you think you would have voted to authorize air strikes against Serbia, as you did in April, 1999, if President Bush were president at that time? ANSWER- I would have. There were thousands of Muslims being executed. That vote was true to my beliefs and not to my party. Beliefs first, party second.

Danielle- Do any of your constituents question the amount of time you spend on issues related to Africa? ANSWER- My constituents definitely question that and my opponents use it against me.

Awa- It seems like the Democrats are in a difficult position with Supreme Court nominee Harriet Miers. She does not seem qualified but if she is not confirmed President Bush may choose a more conservative nominee who would be more likely to be confirmed. What is your opinion of this? ANSWER- The woman doesn't have any experience. According to Bush the only experience she has is that she goes to Sunday School and that she is a Christian. Clarence Thomas didn't have any experience either and I didn't support him.

Caitlin- Even though you voted for authorizing President Bush to use force after 9/11, do you have any regrets about that vote or have you heard any of your colleagues express regrets about that vote? ANSWER- I voted for the war to show support for our troops. I would vote the same way if I had a chance to again.

Matt- If a faith-based organization has better results at helping people stay off drugs, should not taxpayer money go to that organization rather than a secular organization that is not as effective? ANSWER- No, church and state should be separate. Church's could become dependent on the government which is one of the reasons why we have separation of church and state.

Toshia- In July, 1999, you voted to allow gays to adopt in Washington, DC. If all things were equal would you favor a gay couple over a straight couple when it comes to adoptions? ANSWER- Everyone has a right to their own lifestyle. It's about people's rights. I would choose who I thought the better couple would be for that child.

Tom- Considering all the complaints about the Patriot Act, have you told any of your colleagues "I told you so"? ANSWER- I think in their heart they know it's wrong. It's hard to vote against something like that, especially at that time. But it is clearly a violation of people's individual rights.

Emma (right)- What do you think was the main reason so many members of congress voted against giving Washington, D.C statehood in 1993? ANSWER- I think race has something to do with it. But now the Republican majority does not want two more Democratic senators. We even have reluctance from Democrats. It's taxation without representation and there is no reason for that.

Alexandra- During our study of your voting record, Mr. Graney put a poster of the 10 Commandments on the wall of our public school classroom. If you were the principal, would you order him to take it down? ANSWER- I would indeed order him take it down. There should be separation of church and state and there is too much mixing of the two today.

Mike and Arash

Mehrosh and Nabilah

Michelle (left) and Mary- Even though you voted for raising the fines the FCC could charge broadcasters for airing indecent material, don't you think too big a deal was made of the Janet Jackson/Justin Timberlake Super Bowl show? ANSWER- I was at that game. I couldn't see anything...I was looking but I didn't see anything. But no question about it......but the real problem is some of these radio shows, the ones make Howard Stern look like a kid.

HHS legend Peter Coles.

Danielle finds a kindred spirit on the streets of D.C.