Byron Dorgan: “I know the majority leader and the President today have talked about some collapse in the system and some great concern…”

“I know the majority leader and the President today have talked about some collapse in the system and some great concern about the fact that judges aren't getting confirmed. Let's understand something. We have the lowest number of vacancies on the Federal bench we have in a decade and a half. Why is that the case? It is because we have been approving nominations sent to this Senate by the President day after day--124 of them. I voted for all but 3 of them--124. The reason the majority leader and others say the system has collapsed is that there are two nominees who haven't gotten through the Senate. They are upset about that. Well, there is nothing in the U.S. Constitution that says there is a requirement for the Senate to be a rubberstamp for any President, Republican or Democrat. The fact is that most of President Bush's nominees are going to be approved by the Senate--and have been, 98.4 percent.”