In short, Staci Yandle's confirmation marks another important milestone in the journey toward equality of opportunity for all Americans.

It was 13 years ago when I introduces a bill called the DREAM Act in this Committee, and my cosponsor was Senator Orrin Hatch.

In fact, justice Kennedy recently said, "A principal feature of the removal system is the broad discretion exercised by immigration officials."

Thank you for being here today, and special thanks should be given to your two Senators, Senators Isakson and Chambliss.

I understand the role of a legislator and a politician, trying to measure your constituents and what they want against what you believe is right.

Thank you, Senator McCaskill.

I was offended by the flag, Senator.

I appreciate the timely scheduling of this hearing and the progress we are making.

I could not have been more respectful of the opinions of the people that desired that that flag change. And I am glad the flag did change.

Thank you very much.

It is the largest natural environmental disaster in the history of this country.

I think if a judge is actively involved, has rule 16 hearings, watch out for what is happening on case management, roll up his or her sleeves and decide motions immediately or shortly after they are filed, that those cases can proceed and…

Do you believe that Confederate flag issue had anything to do with the issue of race?

I am glad the flag was changed. It reflected something that I thought Georgia could do better with, quite frankly, Senator.

It is not often that the Senate gets a do-over. And in your case, it is long overdue.

I think the message that I would hope, if I were fortunate enough to be confirmed, is that I would provide a courtroom that was a forum where anyone, regardless of background, ethnicity, wealth, what have you, would receive a fair and full…

In our view, it was preferable to have a world in which it was the courts that would ultimately have the authority.

We are reviewing that now. In fact, this Judiciary Committee recently took up a bill that I have worked on with my Republican colleagues on the issue of mandatory minimums.