Jack Reed: “I thank Chairman Hatch and Senator Leahy for all of the hard work they've put into, and continue to put into, the…”

“I thank Chairman Hatch and Senator Leahy for all of the hard work they've put into, and continue to put into, the judicial nomination process. I also recognize Senator Lott for making a commitment to bring the Paez and Berzon nominations to the Floor for a vote by March 15, over the protests of certain members of his caucus. First, a process comment. One of the most important duties of the United States Senate, as envisioned by our founding fathers, is the confirmation of Presidential appointments. Article II, Section 2, of the Constitution states that the President shall nominate and ``appoint Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the supreme Court, and all other Officers of the United States'' with the ``Advice and Consent of the Senate.'' This is one of our enumerated duties in the Constitution, and to my mind, we have egregiously failed to uphold this duty in the case of Judge Richard Paez. More often than not, nominations move through the Senate the way they're supposed to. However, in this case, the system has broken down. As a result, considerable public attention is being paid to this nomination, especially among members of the Latino community, because the Senate is not doing its job. This is troubling. In regards to nominations, the public rightly expects us to move judiciously and expeditiously and without regard to politics. No nominee for judicial office should have to wait four years to have his appointment confirmed.”