Political Quotes

“both parties used to agree that the thorough review of a Supreme Court nominee's record was essential to fulfilling our constitutional advice and consent obligations as Senators. When Elena Kagan was nominated 8 years ago, even though Democrats were in the majority and Republicans were in the minority, Chairman Leahy joined with Republicans to request all of Elena Kagan's records from her time in the White House. Now the shoe is on the other foot. We are in the minority; they are in the majority. But rather than applying the previous, bipartisan standard, the Republican majority is refusing to join with Democrats in requesting Brett Kavanaugh's complete record. At issue is Brett Kavanaugh's time as Staff Secretary in the Bush White House. Republicans argue we don't need to see papers from that part of his career; Democrats argue we most certainly do. Republicans are being hypocritical and sophistic. In both cases, we said that we needed all of the papers. Why? Because this is such an important job, and we ought to see the complete record of whoever the nominee is. Now they are saying: Well, counsel is OK, but Staff Secretary isn't, and Kagan wasn't a Staff Secretary. So what? So what? The relevant standard is all of the records, no matter what jobs they had, and Republicans are trying to come up with a difference for reasons that people are asking why. Are they hiding something? Is Kavanaugh hiding something?…”