Political Quotes

“last week on this Senate floor, I made the case for Democrats and Republicans joining together to confirm one of the most qualified individuals ever nominated to the U.S. Supreme Court. I was referring, of course, to Chief Judge Merrick Garland. I don't wish to belabor the point here this evening, but it bears repeating that Judge Garland brought with him more Federal judicial experience than any Supreme Court nominee in the history of the United States. It bears repeating that Judge Garland is an extraordinary man, a good man, a brilliant man, a fair judge, and a consensus builder on the bench in a day and age when we need consensus builders on the Supreme Court and other courts across the country. Frankly, we also need them right here on this floor, in this body. It bears repeating that the obstruction of Judge Garland's nomination was unprecedented in the history of the United States of America and in the history of the Senate. Since the Senate Judiciary Committee began holding public hearings on Supreme Court nominations in 1916, no Supreme Court nominee had ever been denied a hearing and a vote--until Judge Garland. Many of our Republican colleagues refused to meet with him. When his nomination expired at noon on January 3, 2017, 293 days had passed--293 wasted days. A good man was treated badly. I believe our Constitution was treated badly. I believe that the obstruction of Judge Garland's nomination was unprecedented. I believe it was shameful.…”