Political Quotes

“Madam President, this raises the issue about deciding these cases where the workload is not very high, where there is a recess of some 3 months, extensive travels, and extensive lectures. Now they may do what they please, and they will, but there is a balance here. The question is: How do you get more cases decided? How do you deal with the question of having the Justices put into practice, once they are on the bench, what they are talking about in the confirmation hearings? That is hard to determine. The best way, in my view, and I have spoken about this in some length, is by publicizing their failures. I think when we take up their budget, for example, it is fair to consider how many clerks they need, given their workload. The number started at one, went to two and three, and is now at four. Is it fair to consider the recess period? In evaluating their budget, we have to be very careful not to intrude upon judicial independence, which is the hallmark of our Republic. But on the issue of publicizing what the Court does, I think it is fair game; preeminently reasonable. For decades now, I have been pressing to have the Supreme Court proceedings televised. Only a very limited number of people can fit inside the chamber--a couple of hundred; less than 300. People are permitted to stay there for only 3 or 4 minutes. Twice the Judiciary Committee has passed out legislation by substantial margins--12-6, and in the current term 13-6--calling on the Supreme Court to be televised.…”