On the recordAugust 3, 2010
I stated on the floor earlier today that I think the conduct of the chairman and ranking member on this nomination has been exemplary. I just do not want someone who gets mad because I have done something they do not like saying: I am not going to let you have a vote on this judge until I get what I want. I want to make sure everyone who wants to has the opportunity to speak on Kagan. No one on the Republican side has even suggested a filibuster. But this is to make sure one Senator in this body--not on the nomination of Kagan but on anything-- they get their dander up a little bit, and he or she can cause the whole Senate to come to a standstill. So I repeat, if there is more time needed, there will be ample time. When the time for voting comes up, I will give whatever time is necessary. But I say to my friend, there is no direction to prevent anyone from speaking on this nomination for however long they want.
