Political Quotes

“first, let me address the nomination of Judge Gorsuch, which will soon proceed to a final vote over the objection of we Democrats. Even though Democrats had principled reasons to oppose this judge, even though we offered many times to meet with the majority to discuss a new nominee and a way forward, the Republicans chose to break the rules and erase the 60-vote threshold for all judicial nominees. They had many options, and they chose, unfortunately, the nuclear option. I believe it will make this body a more partisan place, it will make the cooling saucer of the Senate considerably hotter, and I believe it will make the Supreme Court a more partisan place. As a result, America's faith in the integrity of the Court and their trust in the basic impartiality of the law will suffer. Those are serious things for this Republic. Prior to yesterday's cloture vote, I shared my views on this moment at length, and I will let those comments stand in the Record. As I have said repeatedly over the last week, week and a half, let us go no further down this road. I hope the Republican leader and I can, in the coming months, find a way to build a firewall around the legislative filibuster, which is the most important distinction between the Senate and the House. Without the 60-vote threshold for legislation, the Senate becomes a majoritarian institution like the House, much more subject to the winds of short-term electoral change.…”