Daniel Inouye: “it is most unfortunate that we in the Senate found ourselves embroiled in a lengthy and costly debate over four of…”

“it is most unfortunate that we in the Senate found ourselves embroiled in a lengthy and costly debate over four of President George W. Bush's judicial nominations--and make no mistake: this debate will cost more than is readily apparent. On a simple level, the preparation for 30 hours of debate on the Senate floor will translate into hundreds--possibly thousands of man hours of preparation. My fellow Senators, their staffs, and the myriad interested civic groups will toil ceaselessly to ensure that both Democrats and Republicans will be able to get their messages across to the American people. The media coverage and analysis are likely to be comprehensive and focused intensely down to the most minute details. Like a ravenous beast, this spectacle will devour our time, attention, and energy, until eventually, it consumes itself. My Democratic colleagues and I are acutely aware of another cost of this debate: the cost of opportunities lost to the Senate and to the Nation. Thirty hours of sustained attention could have addressed the needs of the 3 million citizens who have lost their jobs since the President took the oath of office. Thirty hours of continuous inquiry could have finished our constitutionally mandated duty of providing funds for the Federal Government. Thirty hours of debate could have broken the logjam on Medicare and Medicaid reform.”