Political Quotes

“it was a very sad weekend and will be for a long period of time in Aurora, CO. I heard the remarks of the majority and minority leaders today expressing condolence for the victims and their families. I wish to associate myself with those remarks and offer my condolences to all the people of Aurora but particularly to those who have deceased family members and those who are hospitalized because of this tragic event that happened there. Mr. President, I support the nomination of Michael A. Shipp to be U.S. district judge for the District of New Jersey, currently serving as a U.S. magistrate and coming out of committee on voice vote. I am not aware of any controversy regarding this nominee, and I expect he will be confirmed with an overwhelming vote. There has been a bit of discussion regarding whether the cloture vote that had been scheduled on today's nominee was some sort of escalation of Presidential election politics or an indication of a partisan fight over judicial confirmations. Those are raised as speculation or misreading what is happening in the Senate. The fact is that the cloture vote, which is now vitiated, had nothing to do with the judicial confirmation process in general or this nominee in particular. There is, unfortunately, an element of partisan gridlock that is affecting this nomination, but it is not because of a Republican desire to block this nominee or to shut down the Senate floor.…”