Ben Cardin

I do believe, and I tried, in my private practice, in particular, to honor the commitment to pro bono work.

I think Senator Sessions is absolutely right

Your timing is perfect, because the budget is on the floor as we speak.

The juvenile justice issues are really important. We are struggling with that in this Committee.

Well, thank you and we appreciate both of you introducing your families.

I would urge all the nominees to try to get those responses back as quickly as possible and as thoroughly as possible.

Drug courts are working well in some states. Other states need help.

The statement from Hon. Paul Ryan, a Member of Congress from Wisconsin, in support of Ms. Jackson's nomination to the Sentencing Commission.

I do hope that our Committee will be able to deal with that issue.

I am going to put in the record, on behalf of Ms. Robinson, a letter from the Baltimore Police Department, the police commissioner, in support of the nomination.

In normal times, it is difficult for poor people to get access to our civil system. In a recession, it is that much more difficult.

I personally believe the legal community has a specific responsibility as it relates to providing access to justice to those who otherwise could not afford it.

I want to give you an opportunity to talk a little bit about how important judicial ethics is in your life as a judge.

I do believe--one of my criteria for determining who I support on confirmation to the Federal bench is their passion and respect for the protections that are in our Constitution.

Just to underscore that one point, there are five vacancies on the fourth circuit. The second circuit has four vacancies.

I do not know whether the Supreme Court of Virginia has taken any similar steps or not.

It is a tough decision to remove a colleague and it was the right decision.

Which is the tradition of our Committee, we will use two panels.

Thank you for your willingness to serve your community.

It is an honor to have Judge Barbara Keenan here, who is a nominee for the U.S. Circuit Court for the Fourth Circuit.

I know that it is not easy to serve in public positions.

You have an impressive resume.

I take particular interest in the Fourth Circuit. So I am very pleased today that Senator Leahy has allowed me to chair this hearing.

My concern, quite frankly, is whether we have the resources to support that.

It raises serious questions as to whether we have the resources in the budget to accommodate new judgeships.