William H. Frist: “over the last 3 days, for 26 hours, the Senate has debated a very simple, straightforward principle. Qualified judicial…”

“over the last 3 days, for 26 hours, the Senate has debated a very simple, straightforward principle. Qualified judicial nominees, with the support of the majority of Senators, deserve a fair up-or-down vote on the Senate floor. A thorough debate is an important step in the judicial nominations process. Debate should culminate with a decision, and a decision should be expressed through that up-or-down vote, confirm or reject, yes or no. The Constitution grants the Senate the power to confirm or reject the President's judicial nominees. In exercising this duty, the Senate traditionally has followed a careful and deliberative process with three key components: first, we investigate; second, we debate; and third, we decide. We investigate by examining nominees in committee hearings and studying their backgrounds and qualifications. We debate by publicly discussing the nominees in committee and on the floor, and we decide through an up-or-down vote. Investigate, debate, decide--that is how the Senate and the judicial nominations process operated for 214 years. But in 2003, the Senate stopped short of a decision. A minority of Senators began routinely blocking final votes on judicial nominations. As a result, the nominees have been left in limbo. Courthouses sit empty. Justice is delayed. Political rhetoric has escalated, and political civility has suffered. It is time once again to decide.…”