Trent Lott: “I have been wanting to speak about the situation with regard to the President's judicial nominations. The major point we…”

“I have been wanting to speak about the situation with regard to the President's judicial nominations. The major point we are trying to make today is that today is the 1-year anniversary of eight of the President's nominations to serve on circuit courts. These minorities, men and women, have not even had the courtesy of a hearing, let alone a vote in the Judiciary Committee. But the fact is, these eight nominees have not even had a hearing; they have been pending for a full year. There are actually 11 nominees who were sent forward in a group--the first nominations of President Bush. Three of those have been confirmed. Two of those, I might add, were recycled, in effect, because they were Democrats, or were selected by Democrats, and they were qualified. The President resubmitted their names. They got through the process. But these eight have not had any further consideration for a full year. You can argue statistics. But usually Presidents get their circuit nominations confirmed within a year of having them sent forward.”