John Cornyn: “while the Senator is leaving the floor, I wish to say to the ranking member of the Judiciary Committee how much I…”

“while the Senator is leaving the floor, I wish to say to the ranking member of the Judiciary Committee how much I appreciate his decision. I know how seriously he has weighed his decision whether to vote to confirm John Roberts as Chief Justice of the United States. I believe we are at our best in this body when we set aside our differences that come from our partisan affiliation. The fact that some of us are Republicans and some are Democrats is a fact of life, and we have to work within our political system to try to solve America's problems the best we can. But I do believe we are at our best when we rely upon the principles and the values that bind us together rather than those that distinguish us and separate us as Senators. I must confess that yesterday I was more than a little bit disappointed when the distinguished Democratic leader announced that he would vote no on this nomination. Clearly, it is within his right and prerogative, as it is within any Senator's right and prerogative to vote as they see fit.…”