William H. Frist: “To the question, does the Constitution say that every nominee of the President deserves an up-or-down vote, the answer…”

“To the question, does the Constitution say that every nominee of the President deserves an up-or-down vote, the answer is, no, the language is not there. Up-or-down vote, that is the language we use to signify that when the President of the United States sends a nominee to the highest court in the land, which is his or her responsibility, which is in the Constitution, they send it to this body for advice and consent. It is common sense to me, it is fairness to me that when they come over to give advice and consent, we go through the Judiciary Committee. If they make it out of the Judiciary Committee, the way we give advice and consent on this floor is a vote. That is what we are elected to do. Or vote no. I don't mean you have to vote yes on them, but advice and consent. To the American people who are listening now, when they elect us here, what is fair, what is our responsibility, what is our duty is to vote. That is how we give voice. You can't cut these nominees in half; you can't reshape them; you can't amend them; you can't send them to conference--all of those things. That is why I am a tremendous advocate for the filibuster for legislative matters. But when you have a nominee that comes over, all you can do is shine the light. You examine them. You debate it, unlimited debate--unlimited debate--and then to give advice and consent, which is in that Constitution, the advice and consent is right there. How do you do it? Vote yes, vote no. Confirm, reject. We accept it.…”