Tom Coburn: “first, I have the distinct privilege of being on the Judiciary Committee. I also have the distinct privilege of serving…”

“first, I have the distinct privilege of being on the Judiciary Committee. I also have the distinct privilege of serving with three other members on that committee who are nonlawyers so I bring to that committee not a legal background but a citizen background. One of the things I found very refreshing during the hearings was the fact that we have a person in the name of John Roberts who recognizes the role of the judiciary as outlined by our Founders. I will go into that in a minute. I will address, first, some issues that are important. We heard today some criticisms of Judge Roberts in sitting and hearing the Hamdan case while he was under consideration for this position. For the record, I show that Justice Ginsburg, during her consideration, decided 24 cases. Justice Breyer decided 15 cases during the period of time he was under consideration. I have the attestation of ethicists who have made statements in support of the fact that Judge Roberts violated no ethical creed and did nothing but his job as an appellate justice while hearing this, and I ask unanimous consent to have them printed in the Record. There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows: George Washington University Law School, Washington, DC, August 18, 2005. Hon. Arlen Specter, Chairman, Committee on the Judiciary, U.S. Senate, Washington, DC. Dear Mr.…”