Barbara Mikulski: “I rise to voice my opinion on the nomination of Judge Alito. I view this process with enormous seriousness. It is not…”

“I rise to voice my opinion on the nomination of Judge Alito. I view this process with enormous seriousness. It is not like a political campaign because the Supreme Court is a lifetime appointment. Senators are called upon to make two decisions that are irrevocable and irretrievable. One is the decision to go to war and put our troops in harm's way. A very serious decision. You can't say the next day, Whoops, I made a mistake. The other is the confirmation of a Justice of the Supreme Court. When that person goes on the Court, he or she is there for a lifetime unless they commit an impeachable offense. This vote will have an immense impact on future generations. Judge Alito is 55 years old. We can presume that he will be blessed with good health and will serve if confirmed for at least another 20 years. He will rule on thousands of cases, which themselves will be around for decades after he has left the court. His decisions will affect the lives of virtually all Americans for generations. This vote will have an immense impact because of who the judge is replacing, Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, the very first female ever appointed to the Supreme Court. Wow. She has been a terrific Justice of the Supreme Court, a historical figure indeed. She broke the glass ceiling of the highest Court in our land to become the first female justice on the United States Supreme Court. She has been a true pioneer in helping to pave the way for women in the legal profession.…”