William Pryor: “I would like to change gears for a few moments and talk about something that is also important to this body, and that is…”

“I would like to change gears for a few moments and talk about something that is also important to this body, and that is the judicial compromise that 14 Senators, including myself, reached on May 23. This agreement, or memorandum of understanding, was signed by seven Democrats and seven Republicans. I hope it has helped bring this august body back from the brink of what we have called nuclear catastrophe. The agreement or compromise on judicial nominees helped prevent the so-called nuclear option from occurring. This agreement allowed an up- or-down vote on several of President Bush's most controversial judicial nominations while protecting minority rights in the Senate, as well as the checks and balances on which our Government was founded. It has been about a month since the agreement was entered into. I have had a little bit of time to reflect on some of the things that happened leading up to and during that time and since that time. So if I may, I would like to take just a few moments to share some thoughts. The first thought I wish to share is that I felt it very important to avoid the nuclear option. The reason I say that is because one of the great things about this body throughout its history is this body's emphasis on protecting the rights of the minority, the rights of those who maybe in other places might not have a chance to be heard.…”