Arlen Specter

I compliment the President for nominating an Hispanic woman.

We Senators would like to know what the standards are so we know what to do when we undertake legislation.

I think it was wrong for America to wait until 1967 to have an African-American, Justice Thurgood Marshall, on the court.

But the court decides all the cutting-edge questions of the day. The Senate is televised, the House is televised.

The court, I would suggest, has time for more cases.

There's more than being re-elected here. There's the factor of principle. The Republican Party has gone far to the right since I joined it under Reagan's big tent.

I applaud initiatives like Senator Arlen Specter's (D-PA) successful effort to provide NIH with $10.4 billion in stimulus funds.

This subcommittee has been at the forefront of addressing the pandemic flu issue.

There has to be a careful balance in what is said to inform the public of the problem, but not to articulate it in a way which might cause undue alarm.

There is great public concern, as is evidenced by the front pages, news media accounts as to what the situation is.

The public health response to swine flu is critical for our nation's health.

As the Republican Party has moved farther and farther to the right, I have found myself increasingly at odds with the Republican philosophy and more in line with the philosophy of the Democratic Party.

It is necessary for America, and now we have to make it work, and we have to make it work to put people to work.

I think few would deny the importance of that $10 billion allocation.

There is no doubt about the tremendous impact that Alzheimer's has on the health of Americans and really worldwide.

Senator Harkin and I, as you may know, have taken the lead on increasing the funding generally from $12 billion to $30 billion.

I wanted to say a word of assurance of our concern for funding on Alzheimer's.

I understand the allocation for Alzheimer's is not satisfactory.

I like the detail of that answer, especially the part where you get involved.

What is going on? Where is the accountability? Who is going to go to jail?

I was a district attorney myself, handled complex cases. You could move through the cases, and the investigation without bringing hundreds of counts.

With respect to our prison population, is there any substitute for incarcerating violent criminals for public safety?

Dick Lugar does not confirm. The Senate does.

The recommendation of the Judiciary Committee is indispensable on that.

I want to comment about a matter which you just raised with me, and that is the confirmation hearing of nominee Judge Hamilton for the Seventh Circuit.