Thomas Daschle: “I will say in all sincerity that I think he just gave the speech that I have repeated probably 25 or 30 times over the…”

“I will say in all sincerity that I think he just gave the speech that I have repeated probably 25 or 30 times over the last 6 years, verbatim. I can't tell you how many people languished for not days or weeks but years. But I have said on this floor repeatedly that we will not engage in payback. We will not engage in that kind of practice because I don't believe in it. But I must say the record so far speaks for itself. Since assuming the majority--and we have only been able to deal with nominations since we came back. Prior to that time, we didn't have Members on committees. Since the organizing resolution passed, we have held hearings on 114 Presidential nominees. This last week Democrats reported favorably out of committee 17 nominees. In addition, during the 17-day period when Democrats won the majority in January, 13 hearings were held on Cabinet level appointees. During the brief time since the organizing resolution was passed, four judicial nominees have already had hearings before the committee, 100 percent more than were held before Senator Leahy became chairman. The majority has already confirmed three judicial nominees. President Bush has been slow to send the necessary documentation on some of the nominees.”