Dick Durbin: “I would also ask the Senator from Nevada through the Chair, is it not also true that as we have started talking to the…”

“I would also ask the Senator from Nevada through the Chair, is it not also true that as we have started talking to the American people about the so-called nuclear option, the term that Senator Trent Lott came up with, as we have talked to the people about the nuclear option across the country, is it not true there has been an incredible reaction? I would say to the Senator from Nevada, many of us believed this was an arcane debate that most people wouldn't follow. But we are finding that overwhelmingly the people across America share the view of the Democrats on this issue, that we should not change the rules in the middle of the game and eliminate the filibuster on judicial nominees, that we should not assault the basic principle of checks and balances also under the Constitution, and, finally, we should stand our ground to make sure that, on a bipartisan basis, we pick judges for lifetime appointments, judges who are in touch with the values and needs of simple Americans and their families?”