Political Quotes

“I thank the gentleman for yielding and for his distinguished service. Madam Speaker, I want to begin by expressing my appreciation to the ranking member of the Judiciary Committee for leading today's Special Order on the important issue of the vacancy on the Supreme Court and the Senate Republicans' unprecedented obstruction of the President's nominee. That nominee, of course, is Judge Merrick Garland of the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. He is one of the most highly qualified nominees ever. Let me repeat that. He is one of the most highly qualified nominees ever to be put forward for a seat on the Nation's highest court. He is a respected former prosecutor and is well regarded as an appellate judge. He was confirmed to his present position in 1997 by a vote of 76-23, with a majority of Republicans voting in favor. Madam Speaker, in fact, notwithstanding the opposition of some Republicans, they articulated--in particular, Mr. Grassley, who is now the chairman of the Judiciary Committee--that Judge Garland was eminently qualified and would be good for an appointment to another court but that he was not for expanding the Circuit Court of the District of Columbia, and it was for that reason alone that he voted against Mr. Garland. Madam Speaker, today is the 21st anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing.…”