Trent Lott: “We have a real problem in the Senate. I think it could be a growing problem. We are very concerned about the nominees…”

“We have a real problem in the Senate. I think it could be a growing problem. We are very concerned about the nominees who are being moved and those who are not being moved; and, more specifically, the fact that the first eight circuit court judges have not been moved, have not been voted on, and, in fact, have not even had a hearing. I believe that is accurate. The first eight, to go back to May 9, 2001, an outstanding group of nominees, men and women and minorities, have not had any opportunity to make their case, to be voted on in the Senate Judiciary Committee, and be voted on in this Chamber. That is what our resolution says. That is all it says. This is not a quantum leap, saying you have to have a hearing, you have to vote, you have to bring it to the floor, and you have to get it done. But it does say that in the interest of administration of justice, the Judiciary Committee shall hold hearings at least on the nominees submitted by the President on May 9, 2001, by May 9, 2002.”