William H. Frist: “in the last hour or so we made huge progress on an issue that has been very difficult for this body over the last 3 to 4…”

“in the last hour or so we made huge progress on an issue that has been very difficult for this body over the last 3 to 4 weeks, in fact I would say difficult for the last 2\1/ 2\ years. The progress we have made is that for these nominees who had not received a fair up-or-down vote for 2 years, 3 years, 4 years, we are finally back in gear and getting up-or-down votes, fulfilling our constitutional responsibility of advice and consent. I am very pleased and I am very proud of this body. People who have been blocked for partisan reasons in the past, who have been obstructed, have been prevented from getting votes, have been allowed to get votes through regular order by going through the Judiciary Committee. Although it took way too long--2 years, 3 years, 4 years-- finally they have been allowed to get an up-or-down vote. I hope it sets the tone, and I believe it will set the tone, as we proceed over the coming weeks and months and address circuit court nominees and, of course, Supreme Court nominees who may or may not occur in the very near future. Justice Janice Rogers Brown will now serve on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.…”