Bill Nelson: “the courts provide the foundation upon which the institutions of government in our free society are built. Their…”

“the courts provide the foundation upon which the institutions of government in our free society are built. Their strength and legitimacy are derived from a long tradition of Federal judges whose knowledge, integrity and impartiality are beyond reproach. The Senate is obligated by the Constitution--and the public interest--to protect this legacy and to ensure that the public's confidence in the court system is justified and continues for many years to come. As guardians of this trust we must carefully scrutinize the credentials and qualifications of every man and woman nominated by the President to serve on the Federal bench. The men and women we approve for these lifetime appointments make important decisions each and every day, which impact the American people. Once on the bench they may be called upon to consider the extent of our right to personal privacy, our right to free speech, or even a criminal defendant's right to counsel. The importance of these positions and their influence must not be dismissed. We all have benefitted from listening to the debate about Miguel Estrada's qualifications to serve on the D.C. Circuit.”