this week the judicial confirmation process was a bit off track. The 17 threatened cloture motion votes were unnecessary. I am pleased the majority leader determined to not move forward with that plan. The Senate has now returned to its…

Before I ask permission to speak as if in morning business. I don't disagree with anything the majority leader said, but I would like to bring these facts out about judicial vacancies. There are 83 judicial vacancies, and some of those are…

But Russia was invited into the WTO, and, if they change their laws by a certain date in June that they have to change them, then it is our responsibility to deal with Jackson-Vanik.

Very basic to the Crop Insurance Program was that we wanted to be able to service the farmers.

one or two times a year, out of the many speeches I give on the floor of the Senate, I report to my colleagues on a crusade I have to wake up the Department of Defense to give more respect to audit reports coming out of the Office of…

I certainly support maintaining crop insurance

farmers continue to tell me that the crop insurance is a vital tool for managing risk

I do not think you have to work with members of the Committee. I just think you have to carry out the intent and spirit of what we passed in the last farm bill.

The Crop Insurance Program has been a true success story.

I also ask unanimous consent that I can speak in morning business for 20 minutes. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. Judicial Nominations

The first question comes in regard to the fact that in your position, you will probably be considering some cases of crime, but you seem to lack experience with criminal cases.

I want to talk about judicial nominations. I come to the floor many days to talk about judicial nominations. Most of my remarks at those times as well as this time are to respond to some of the claims made by my colleagues from the other…

I consider this excellent progress.

We have cooperated very closely on selection of people for the judicial and executive branch of government.

I compliment Senator Harkin for his recommendations of Ms. Rose to the White House and the White House making the selection.

a people who mean to be their own Governors must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives.

Open government and transparency are essential for our democratic form of government.

If it is not followed, then you are hurt, but so is everybody else.

the impact of the decision will be to endanger public safety.

Just remember, you are not elected. We are elected. We can get in trouble for answering that question. You cannot get in trouble.

Unfortunately, the negotiating texts currently on the table would provide little if any new market access for U.S. goods, and important developing countries are demanding even further concessions from the United States.

Since the WTO Doha Round was launched in 2001, we have supported the Administration's efforts to achieve a balanced outcome that would provide meaningful new market access for U.S. agricultural products . . . particularly from developed…

it seems like this is an unseemingly high amount of money being spent by the taxpayers to defend what appears to be egregious misconduct.

That figure is 70 times larger than the average settlement at Countrywide.

I took the lead in the Clinton administration, the Bush administration, and finally completing the job in this administration in bringing justice to black farmers who were discriminated against on Government programs.