Saxby Chambliss: “I thank the Chair. This body has a number of rules which have been in place for decades. Those are good and valid rules…”

“I thank the Chair. This body has a number of rules which have been in place for decades. Those are good and valid rules and need to be followed in most instances. But there comes a time when you have to look the American people in the eye and say: I know Americans sent a majority party to the Senate, and I know you want us to carry out the will of the American people but, unfortunately, even though it only takes 51 votes to confirm one of President Bush's judicial nominees, we have a Senate rule that says you have to have 60 votes before you get to the point where you only have to have 51 votes. It doesn't take a Philadelphia lawyer to figure out something is wrong with that rule, and it needs to be corrected. As we move into the consideration of these judges, I hope we will reach an accord so the integrity of this institution will be maintained. Hopefully, our rules can be maintained intact. But it is imperative we do the will of the American people, which is move toward the confirmation of the President's judicial nominees as required by the Constitution of the United States. I yield the floor. The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Sununu). The Senator from Virginia. ____________________”