Political Quotes

“I once again want to persuade my Republican colleagues that the so-called nuclear option to break the Senate rules regarding judicial nominations is unnecessary and unwise. Earlier this week, I came to the floor of the Senate and offered to enter into a unanimous consent agreement that will allow an up-or-down vote on controversial nominee Thomas Griffith to the DC Court of Appeals. We have confirmed 208 of President Bush's nominations to the Federal court, but this record near 100 percent is enough, and the Republican leaders have brought us to the brink of a nuclear showdown. There will be a lot of nuclear fallout if this happens, which would be bad for the Senate and bad for the country. As I said on the Senate floor earlier this week, Democrats understand the meaning of checks and balances and our constitutional role in ensuring a fair and independent judiciary. We know the difference between opposing nominees and blocking nominees. We will oppose bad nominees, but we will only block unacceptable nominees. Unfortunately, my effort to demonstrate good faith to this point has been rejected. My statement earlier this week was immediately rejected. The distinguished majority leader, my friend, has indicated that the Senate would not be allowed to vote on Griffith unless Senate Democrats agree to an up-or-down vote on all judicial nominees.…”