Thomas Daschle: “Let me respond briefly. It has been the practice of the Senate, since we have been in the majority, to take up all…”

“Let me respond briefly. It has been the practice of the Senate, since we have been in the majority, to take up all nominations that have been reported out of the committee. This nomination has yet to be reported out of the committee. There have been a number of others who have sought recognition and have asked to be heard on the Shedd nomination, which is why the nomination was tabled. I hasten to add that, on that very day--I don't recall the exact number--a significant number of judicial nominations were passed out. I believe the number was 17. So there are 17 additional judicial nominations, which brings us close now to 100 judicial confirmations, if we deal with those 17 pending now on the calendar. More than 80 have already passed and were confirmed, and we have 17 pending and could be confirmed before the end of the year. That is close to an all-time record. I think that is all the more laudatory, given the fact that we have not been in the majority for the entire 2-year period of time. During that first 6-month period of time, the Republicans failed to confirm one judicial nomination; they failed on all counts to confirm even one. So the Shedd nomination is being reviewed. There are others who wish to be heard, and I respect the decision made by the chairman, in particular, that this nominee be given additional consideration, and that others who want to be heard be given that opportunity as well. I do object.”