Arlen Specter

Senator Leahy and I have a special spot reserved on C-SPAN that put us on at 3 a.m., so he and I have a tremendous following among America's insomniacs.

I regret that I am going to have to excuse myself early to join the Environment and Public Works Committee, where we are pushing ahead to try to find a legislative answer to global warming at an early stage.

It is like a steam kettle. You fire it up, and it is going to come out someplace.

It is hardly a function of the world's greatest deliberative body

It is inevitable that votes are cast--I am right in the middle of the same procedure--where we do not know what we are voting on because we have not heard the debate

The way it has necessarily been conducted with the chamber full, that is the occasion when there are more Senators on the floor longer than any other time that the Senate functions

We have got to do better than this vote-a-rama process.

A key component of preparedness is the availability of effective preventive and therapeutic drugs and vaccines to counter diseases caused by man-made attacks and public health threats. Identifying and funding the means to acquire these…

The bill the chairman has brought before the Senate includes funding to respond to many economic and security issues facing our country today, and I congratulate him on his tremendous effort. In particular, the bill includes funding for…

Well, I am very concerned about it. I had a tough 1 percent primary last time. And I know the political peril. And in light of the very severe need to take action to avoid a depression, I thought my duty required that I do just what I did.

Well, I'm very concerned of that. I had a tough one percent primary last time. And I know the political peril. And in light of the very severe need to take action to avoid a depression, I thought my duty required that I do just what I did.

I think criminal sanctions are a vital part and are essential for the requisite deterrence that is needed.

May we have your commitment that you will make that a high priority?

Can we have your assurances that, if you are confirmed, there will be a really tough line on examination of white-collar crimes and firm recommendation for jail sentences as a deterrent?

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

The Republican members of this Committee will not be participating because there has been insufficient time to prepare for this hearing.

I would suggest that every effort be made to get the Supreme Court to decide this question.

Are you willing to give an opinion as to whether warrantless wire tapping, which violates the mandate of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, is saved under Presidential authority by his powers as Commander in Chief under Article 2?

Some of the Supreme Court decisions don't please me, but that's the law, they say.

It seems to me just, candidly, beyond the pale to say that that's a violation of the Thirteenth Amendment against slavery.

The courts under-enforce constitutional rights and the political branches have an obligation to fill constitutional gaps, and uphold rights beyond those that the court will enforce.

I personally find it very distasteful to raise these considerations in the Judiciary Committee, but I do so because of the conclusive nature of the record which shows that there has been grossly insufficient time to prepare.

I think overall history reflects that the Senate impeachment hearing and trial was really a great testament to the brilliance of our Founders.

I would again renew my call--I see only two of my colleagues here on the Republican side--that my colleagues come because of the importance of this nomination.

The nominee, David Ogden, does bring an outstanding resume to this position academically: Phi Beta Kappa, University of Pennsylvania, magna cum laude; Harvard Law Review; outstanding professional credentials.