Byron Dorgan: “Absolutely. I remember Mr. Paez, who is now a Federal judge, his nomination was here 1,500 days. I remember the number…”

“Absolutely. I remember Mr. Paez, who is now a Federal judge, his nomination was here 1,500 days. I remember the number of times people came to the floor of the Senate expressing great angst about that. It took forever. But unlike Mr. Paez, many nominees never got a hearing, let alone a vote, never got called to Washington, being told: All right, your nomination is before the Senate. This is the date of your hearing. Many nominees never ever got a hearing. But I say to the Senator from Nevada, this ought not be, and should never be, payback for 'this side did this, that side did that, so for the last 20 years, let's get even.' That ought not be what the case is. And I demonstrate and I assert it is not the case because we have approved 123 of President Bush's nominations. I said: I am proud to do that. I was proud to support the two Republican nominees from North Dakota because I think they are terrific judges. I think we have had great success here. I admit that there is a hangup with two of the judgeships. I say to my colleague from Texas, who spoke before I did, I do not mean to be pejorative about this. I do not mean to question anyone's motives. I only say that when one asserts that the sky is falling, the system is broken, and nothing is working, there is another view. I was trying to express another view, respectfully.”