William H. Frist: “today in the Senate we will undertake one of our most significant and historic constitutional responsibilities. The eyes…”

“today in the Senate we will undertake one of our most significant and historic constitutional responsibilities. The eyes of all Americans and of history will be focused upon us. The American people, through their votes, have entrusted us with the constitutional responsibility to provide advice and consent on Supreme Court nominations. They have entrusted us to govern as their elected representatives. We must ask ourselves: How will the American people view us--how will history judge us--for the deliberations we begin today? It is my goal the American people will say, and history will record, that we were fair and thorough, that we treated our Supreme Court nominee, Judge Roberts, with dignity and respect, and that we worked expeditiously to confirm Judge Roberts before the Supreme Court began its new term in October. Leading up to his announcement last night, the President engaged in a selection and a consultation process that can be characterized with a few words: ``bipartisan,'' ``inclusive,'' and ``unprecedented.'' The President and his White House reached out to both Republicans and Democrats. He listened thoughtfully to our views and he thoughtfully welcomed our suggestions on potential nominees and on the nominations process. In all, the White House contacted more than 70 Senators, including more than two-thirds of the Democratic Caucus and, of course, every single member of the Judiciary Committee.…”