Sheldon Whitehouse actually said...

"I have never had any more support shown in a bipartisan way for the nomination of Judge Steve Jones."

"Thank you, Senator Merkley. We very much appreciate your and Senator Wyden's expressions of support for these two nominees."

"I think we do bring a perspective about the appropriate role of a judge to our duties."

"It is a very solemn thing for members of the U.S. Senate to consider nominees for the United States district court."