Arlen Specter

I am advised there will be two Senators absent at that time who are in favor of this amendment. If I may have the indulgence of the chairman for one moment to find out when they will be here, may I inquire of the chairman when the last…

Will the Senator from Wisconsin yield for a question? May we have a copy of your resolution?

The Senator from Illinois would be bound by the denomination on the list, which is law and Senate rules. It is not something Arlen Specter has made up. But this is a list which you can have in your hand. It is not a secret list, but there…

When you refer to the so-called secret list, as I pointed out to you on several occasions over the past several days, isn't it true you have seen the list?

Senators receive lots of letters; relatively few are read. My question to the Senator from North Dakota is, isn't it true that the two sentences which you left off following the chart you have read: There is some likelihood that the fund's…

As the Senator from Nevada has said, there has been no understanding. It is agreeable with me to have an understanding as to that effect in the future. I have already talked to Senator Kyl, who is poised to offer this amendment. I am glad…

I didn't have to subpoena anybody to understand the underlying basis for this bill. This is my bill. I understood it when I thought it through and when I wrote it. Will I provide the names of those who are to be contributors? I do not have…

I will be glad to respond. I didn't subpoena any governmental agency. We subpoenaed the companies who were obligated to provide the money.

When he says I haven't responded to his letter, I have responded to his letter by getting him the information. The Senator from Illinois is diligent, resourceful, and raises lots of questions. I would challenge him to say I haven't…

How can the Senator call it a secret list when it is available for his inspection?

With all due respect, the issue isn't whether it has been made public, the issue is whether it is in existence, and the issue beyond being in existence is whether it is available to Members who have to vote on the bill. So when the Senator…

As a couple of experienced trial lawyers and debaters, or at least he is an experienced trial lawyer and debater.

The pending question--and I will be glad to answer his-- is, Does the Senator from Illinois know that his staff came to look at the list?

I am advised by staff, since I posed the question, in a note to the effect that Senator Durbin's staff did come to look at the list. Is the Senator from Illinois aware of that?

I note the Senator from Nevada has spoken for 18 minutes, taking some leader time, and the 10 minutes allocated under the unanimous consent. I ask unanimous consent Senator McConnell and I may be accorded the same amount of time.

Good. But it was a terrific speech, I say to Senator Sessions, and I thank you for it and thank you for your leadership on this bill generally and for your strenuous, hard work and leadership on the Judiciary Committee.

When you take a look at the values of an individual, who knows him better than the judges with whom he worked? Seven judges came before the Committee to testify and they all authenticated the conclusion that he does not have a…

May I inquire of the distinguished Democratic leader whether there will be speakers on his side of the aisle to speak tomorrow, Friday, or Saturday, or Sunday, or Monday, if we are to remain in session without voting on this nomination?

May I further inquire of the distinguished Democratic leader when his side of the aisle would be prepared to vote on the nomination?

Listening to the opening statements, I'm concerned that so many senators are already in concrete, without having heard from the nominee.

You cannot take all my time. I will ask another question but may make the argument----

We have only 10 minutes left. Senator Cornyn wants to speak. I need to engage Senator Craig in a dialog.

We don't have a whole lot of time to debate this bill. The Senator from Vermont is right. He and I are due at a meeting on asbestos. The Senator and I are due on many important meetings. I invite anybody who has a question or a doubt about…

Without getting into methamphetamine, where we have accommodated the interests of the Senator from Oregon and other Senators by putting them on this bill because it is a measure which ought to proceed, let me ask the Senator from Oregon…

On my time, I redirect the question to the Senator from New Hampshire who says the bar is too high. Is it a high bar to quash a national security letter, if a court finds it is unreasonable?