Bill Bennett: “I would allow a vote on every nominee who comes to the floor, regardless of which party it may be or regardless of which…”

“I would allow a vote on every nominee who comes to the floor, regardless of which party it may be or regardless of which President might put that nominee forward. And I would agree with Al Sharpton or anyone else who called for an up-or-down vote, without a filibuster, on any nominee, any judicial nominee who has come forward. There is no question but nominees get lost in committees. There is no question nominees get held up by holds and other activities. But once a nominee has been cleared by a majority vote of the committee and placed on the floor, that nominee is entitled to an up-or-down vote. I have always held that position. I always will hold that position. It is for that reason I will support the Frist-Miller rule change that will make that position very clear. I do not care who the President is, under the Constitution he or she has the right to make nominations. The Senate handles those nominations. I understand sometimes those nominations will be stopped in committee. But once the committee has voted by a majority vote to put the nomination on the floor, I will always support and always have supported the notion that that individual is entitled to an up-or-down vote.”