Political Quotes

“Madam President, I wanted to follow up on the Democratic and Republican leaders' conversation. This is not the first time we have seen obstruction for obstruction's sake over noncontroversial, consensus nominees to the Federal bench. It has been going on for 4 years. In 2008 we cleared all 10 of President Bush's district court nominees pending on the floor by unanimous consent. Now, of course, we are being blocked. Well, I don't think Oliver Wendell Holmes could get unanimous consent from our Republican colleagues to be a district court judge today. In the Western District of New York, nominee Frank Geraci has total bipartisan support. His slot has been vacant for years. We need him to fill that judicial emergency post. His nomination has been pending on the floor for more than 2 months. Why can't we confirm him today? He passed the Judiciary Committee unanimously with strong bipartisan support. In the Southern District, another nominee, Lorna Schofield, has also been awaiting confirmation for 2 months. She also has complete and total bipartisan support. What is more, she would be the first Filipana confirmed to the Federal bench. The Southern District is one of the busiest benches in the country, and the judges hear among the most important cases, such as complex civil litigation, insider trading, terrorism. You name it, they do it. Why can't we confirm her today?…”