Madam President, I know we have been involved in a very intense debate, long speeches, time consuming, with an opportunity to bring up issues that are very important, particularly as we see that the executive branch of government has made…

I think it is very non-political.

I welcome you as the nominees, and I know that you are proud of the advancement you have made in your profession.

In fact, for the entire year of 2005, the Judiciary Committee held only 6 hearings for 15 judicial and circuit nominees.

Today's hearing is the 14th judicial nomination hearing this year during which we will have considered a total of 48 judicial nominees.

I do not know anything controversial about this gentleman.

I, Senator Grassley, have been pushing for reforms for several years to enhance the Government's fraud enhancement capabilities relating to Federal health care funds.

Through consultation with the House Committee, I was able to obtain the handwritten notes of the staff who spoke with these attorneys at your firm.

Why should I support your confirmation if your office is consistently working behind the scenes to block me and my office from attending routine briefings and meetings?

the most transparent administration in the history of the country

This is an institutional problem that is keeping the constitutional function of checks and balances from working.

One hundred Senators, not just those 55 in the majority. If they are in the minority sometimes, it is going to be just as irritating to them.

the most stonewalling of any President

Whether in Fast and Furious or in Mr. Kadzik's case, shooting letters willy nilly to Congress without checking on their accuracy is simply unacceptable.

I think that such behavior, whether you were personally involved or people underneath you were involved, is extremely disturbing.

Before this incident, I or my staff had never heard of the so-called third-party meeting policy.

Will you answer the questions in my letter and provide the documents I requested? And if not, why not?

You know, the Government Accountability Office is part of the U.S. Government, and you call that a third party.