Political Quotes

“I am so proud to be here today in support of the nomination of Pamela Harris--a brilliant litigator, professor, and public servant--to serve on the Fourth Circuit. Senator Cardin and I recommended Ms. Harris to President Obama with the utmost confidence in her abilities, talent, and competence for the job. The ABA agreed--they gave her their highest rating of unanimously well-qualified. I thank Senator Reid for being so prompt in scheduling this vote. I also thank Senator Leahy for his expeditious movement of her nomination through the Judiciary Committee. I have had the opportunity to recommend several judicial nominees for our district and appellate courts. I take my ``advise and consent'' responsibilities very seriously. When I consider nominees for the Federal bench, I have four criteria: absolute integrity; judicial competence and temperament; a commitment to core constitutional principles; and a history of civic engagement in Maryland. I expect our recommendations to not only meet these criteria but to exceed them, as Ms. Harris surely does. She has dedicated her career to the rule of law, achieving equal justice under the law and the perfection of appellate advocacy. She is truly an outstanding nominee. Ms. Harris's career spans academia, private practice, and government. But there has always been a common thread of public service.…”