It is instructive that this Hispanic nominee to such a high court is opposed by the Hispanic caucus. They have sat down with Mr. Estrada in private and asked him questions about his views on issues, and they have come out in opposition to…

At this point, the vast majority of those serving of Hispanic origin are Democrats.

Absolutely. I might say to the Senator from Nevada, the Senator from Utah, in a speech to the Utah Federalist Society, said when you have a nominee like Miguel Estrada with no published opinions, then you have to really ask questions. Get…

This isn't what I am referring to. These are written questions which were sent to him. I just read his answer. It was curious to me, I say to the Senator from Utah, when he was given an opportunity to say just that, he did not. He did not.

Let me read my question: You and I met privately before your hearing-- I addressed this to Miguel Estrada-- and I asked you for your views on Roe v. Wade. You indicated you considered the answer to that question to be a private matter, but…

this morning's morning business has been dedicated to the Columbia tragedy which occurred over the weekend. I want to take a few moments to speak from the heart about my experience yesterday, traveling to Houston to be there for the…

This evening, we are considering the nomination of John Snow to be the Secretary of the Treasury. It is a very important position, one of the most important in the President's Cabinet. I have had the opportunity on two occasions now to sit…

Let me just ask you your impression. What in your mind is the Federalist Society philosophy that draws so many Bush nominees to the Federal bench to its membership?

Let me ask you about your representation of tobacco companies in your private practice.

I think that sort of statistical disparity ought to spark further inquiry.

I think it is important when a vast majority of bills and resolutions in the House and Senate never get any attention, nor should they.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I want to thank the nominees who are before us today for your patience, and I hope that you understand that it is an unusual circumstance when we have three judges at this level being considered at the same time…

Proceeding as the majority has unilaterally chosen today is unprecedented. It is wrong.

I mentioned minimum mandatory sentences, and there is a lot to be said.

But there had to be this moment of truth for you as an attorney when you were asked to represent the Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama, when you knew that your success in that case would restrict the rights of disabled…

Are you an officer? Are you not an officer?

This is a nomination that deserves serious scrutiny and which ought to be considered has been the practice for decades in this Committee.

And I think they do have a right to raise a constitutional offense.

So that type of disparity, I think, is one that ought to concern people.

Republicans fail to acknowledge that most of the vacancies that have plagued the Sixth Circuit arose during the Clinton administration.

We are opposed to it. It is not just, it is not fair. We certainly do not want it in America.

The Solicitor General is not seeking appointment here today, our approval. It is you.

Eli Lilly is a special case. You will remember when we passed the homeland security bill to keep America safe from terrorism, someone stuck in a special provision that helped that drug company, which is based out of Indianapolis, IN. There…

I don't know. Someone said this morning the White House said it is baked and he is not going to change a word of it. I cannot say if they are being called in as a focus group to see if there is anything they find objectionable. I think it…

Is there anything you heard about what the President is going to suggest that will lower the cost of health insurance for families and businesses across America, an exploding item in terms of their expenses which is pushing more and more…