Frank Lautenberg: “Today is the 12th day, as remarkable as that seems, that the Senate is debating this nomination instead of doing what it…”

“Today is the 12th day, as remarkable as that seems, that the Senate is debating this nomination instead of doing what it has to for the important business of the American people, as I see it. It is quite clear the other side is just not going to get cloture on this nomination. So the choice is either bring forward a cloture motion or move on to other business. The Nation's Governors are in Washington meeting with President Bush and Members of Congress to discuss critically important issues, such as homeland security, rising unemployment, and increasing State deficits. These are serious issues that need attention, but we are delaying tending to the needs of the American people with endless debate on a judicial nominee who is refusing to tell the Senate almost anything about his judicial philosophy or decisionmaking process. This hide-the-ball strategy being used by Mr. Estrada, frankly, I think is an affront to the Senate and the American people. We have the right to get complete and thoughtful answers to legitimate concerns about his approach to his interpretation of the U.S. Constitution and the laws of the country.”