Amy Klobuchar: “I come to the floor because there are three extremely talented, well-qualified women nominees who are ready to get to…”

“I come to the floor because there are three extremely talented, well-qualified women nominees who are ready to get to work on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit. It is time they are confirmed. I will be joined this afternoon by several of our colleagues: Senators Hirono, Cantwell, Kaine, and Blumenthal, because we all know it is time for the Senate to stop the needless blocking of these women. Enough is enough. I thank Chairman Leahy for his persistence and the fact that we are not giving up on these three qualified women for the bench. Our courts need judges in order for the third branch of our government to function. The Senate should not be shutting down another branch of government. Some of my colleagues in the Senate will not even allow an up-or-down vote on these nominees. I don't know if they have even met these nominees, but if they had met them, I don't know how they could come to this floor and not allow an up-or-down vote. President George W. Bush's candidates to the DC Circuit were confirmed so the DC Circuit could keep running, and our current President's nominees should be considered in the same manner. You can't have justice with an empty courtroom. It is time to stop making excuses. It is time to put judges in their courtrooms, and it is time to get these women on the bench. One of the very well-qualified nominees is Nina Pillard. Nina Pillard is a talented lawyer and professor.…”