Free Capitol Conspiracy by William Bernhardt Page A

to shock any sensitive ears…” He paused, as if allowing parents watching at home a moment to get their children out of the room. “It appears that he was tortured, slowly, then killed by…well, in the most painful and horrific manner that could possibly be imagined.”
    This time there was no sound from the gallery, only a numbed silence.
    “Members of Congress, if this could happen to the director of Homeland Security, the man in charge of ensuring the domestic security of this nation, it could happen to anyone. We have done much in recent years to tighten our security, but it is now self-evident that we have not done enough. The people of this great nation depend upon us to protect and defend them against threats to their security, whether from home or abroad. And on April nineteenth, ladies and gentlemen—we failed them.”
    More silence. Harsh words, especially coming from the President of the United States. But difficult to deny.
    “We have two choices: We can admit defeat, and leave ourselves open to attack by any demented individual or group with an axe to grind, or we can take action. I do not believe the people elected me to do nothing in the face of a clear and present danger. Therefore, we will take action.”
    The president reached inside his jacket and withdrew what appeared to be a proposed bill, with the traditional blue backing.
    “Some members of the press have suggested that I have spent the past week wallowing in grief. I can assure you that is not the case. To the contrary, I have been closeted with my closest and most trusted advisors, not only in my cabinet but in the FBI, CIA, NSA, and Homeland Security, for the purpose of drafting emergency legislation. Members of Congress, when you return to your offices, you will find a copy of my proposed bill on your desks. But I will tell you now what I am proposing. I propose that we stiffen our anticrime and antiterrorism laws to protect us from the enemy that lurks both outside and within our borders. I am not talking about another Patriot Act, something with a fixed term that will periodically need to be renewed. Until America’s enemies expire, we cannot allow our defenses to expire. Therefore, members of Congress, I am proposing a permanent law, an amendment to the Constitution.”
    “I get why he wants it to be permanent,” Christina whispered. “But why does it need to be part of the Constitution?”
    “So it can’t be declared unconstitutional,” Ben said quietly. “No matter what it contains.”
    “I’m sure there will be some who will oppose this new amendment,” the president continued. “To them, I can only say: if it had been your wife, or your brother, or your little girl who was taken by an act of unreasoning violence on April nineteenth, you would feel differently. I continue to stand firmly in support of our basic American civil rights—but not at the cost of our most essential freedom, the right to live unmolested by acts of terrorism and violence. Therefore, I ask Congress to move this bill to the top of their agenda and to pass it in both houses before the end of the month. After that, it can be ratified by the states and the new law could conceivably come into effect in a matter of weeks. Some may argue that this is undue speed, that we should be more deliberate. To them I simply say: every day this nation continues without the protection of these new rigid security measures, we risk another 9/11, another April nineteenth. So for once, Congress, in the memory of Emily Blake and all the others who fell on that tragic day, I ask you to reach across the aisle and join me in a bipartisan effort to make this nation a safer place. There is no room for delay. Time is of the essence. Members of Congress—this nation is depending on you.”
    The president fell silent, and after a moment, the crowd realized that he had said all he intended to say. The applause began slowly, then gained speed and force with almost breathtaking