Byron Dorgan: “We work on many important issues here in the Congress, but none more important than choosing a Justice to serve on the…”

“We work on many important issues here in the Congress, but none more important than choosing a Justice to serve on the Supreme Court. Providing a lifetime appointment to the U.S. Supreme Court is a very serious matter for both the President and the U.S. Senate. Our choice will impact our country well beyond the term of office for the President and for most of the Senate. Those nominations are also very important to the citizens of our country and my State of North Dakota, many of whom--on both sides--have contacted my office and whose counsel I have heard and valued. This is the second nomination for the U.S. Supreme Court that has been sent to the Senate by President Bush in the span of a few short months. During consideration of the nomination of Judge John Roberts to become Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, I studied his record carefully. I reviewed the hearing records of his appearance before the Senate Judiciary committee as well as his record as a Federal judge on the Circuit Court. And in the end, I voted to confirm Judge Roberts. I concluded that he was very well qualified, and I also felt after meeting with him that he would not bring an ideological agenda to his work of interpreting the U.S. Constitution. In short, I felt he would make a fine Chief Justice. The Supreme Court nomination we are now considering is that of Judge Samuel Alito. This has been a difficult decision for me. Judge Alito has substantial credentials.…”