disagree[s] strongly

Mr. President, we are no longer in an election year, which makes this the perfect time for this Congress to take action on real and meaningful election reform. Regardless of which candidates we voted for last November, we can all agree…

Make your voices heard. This outfit, this town listens when people rise up and speak.

We now turn to Senator Gillibrand, who will speak in support of Analisa Torres.

I encourage any Members who are here for introduction who need to do so to feel comfortable excusing yourselves.

I thank you for being here today and congratulate you on your nominations, and I know I share the wish of all of you and your families that you might proceed swiftly to consideration by the full Senate.

And a reminder to those of us who serve in Congress to draw what lines we draw with precision and clarity.

It is my only hope that the Senate could begin to model that behavior of being fair, prompt, and decisive.

I might ask one question that gives an opportunity for each of you to reflect on some of the balance between your previous service and the service on which we hope you are about to embark as judges in our federal system.

This hearing is an important step in the process of filling some of these many vacancies.

I am pleased we have been able to move so quickly in this new Congress to convene this hearing today.

Today, as we begin the 113th Congress, there are 83 vacancies in our judiciary.

I certainly look forward to continuing to get your advice, direction, and encouragement as I try to work with my colleagues here to ensure the same sort of success going forward in West Africa that we have recently enjoyed in East Africa.

I want to start by just thanking you for your remarkable leadership as Secretary of State.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for your time and for your consideration of Raymond Moore.

I will not engage everyone on it now, but I would certainly be interested in following up with you on that.

I want to thank Senator Menendez for chairing this critically important hearing and to thank you, Secretary Clinton, for testifying today.

This is a historically high number for the beginning of a President's second term.