On the recordDecember 9, 2013
I am not going to respond in any detail to my friend, and he is my friend. There is no way of explaining how the Republicans could arbitrarily refuse to nominate four of the most qualified people, frankly, because they turned down one woman twice for the DC Circuit. This is, some say, a court more important than the U.S. Supreme Court. The Republicans, without any question about their integrity, their education, their experience, said no. Why? Because they don't want President Obama to have these people in this important court. They want to keep the court with the majority of Republicans. That is wrong. It is wrong, and there were many reasons we did what we did, but it was the right thing for the country and it is the right thing for democracy. I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to consider the following nominations: Calendar Nos. 330, 347, 348, 349, 350, 382, 383, 384, 385, 386, 434, 435, 436, and 437; that the nominations be confirmed; the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table, with no intervening action or debate; that no further motions be in order to any of the nominations; that any statements related to the nominations be printed in the Record; that the President be immediately notified of the Senate's action, and the Senate then resume legislative session. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection? The Senator from Tennessee.
