John Cornyn: “in light of recent comments on the floor of this body concerning the possibility of a Supreme Court vacancy, I ask…”

“in light of recent comments on the floor of this body concerning the possibility of a Supreme Court vacancy, I ask unanimous consent that an op-ed that I published in National Review Online on Monday, June 27, 2005, be printed in the Record. There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in the Record, as follows: [From the National Review Online, Jun. 27, 2005] R-E-S-P-E-C-T For the law, for the Court, for the Constitution, for the nominee... (By Senator John Cornyn) It wouldn't be summertime in Washington if speculation weren't running rampant about the possibility of a retirement announcement from the Supreme Court. But whatever the time frame for a Supreme Court vacancy, the process for selecting the next associate or chief justice should reflect the best of the American judiciary--not the worst of American politics. We deserve a Supreme Court nominee who reveres the law--and a confirmation process that is civil, respectful, and keeps politics out of the judiciary. History affords us some important benchmarks for determining whether the Senate has undertaken a confirmation process worthy of the Court and of the American people. There is a right way and a wrong way to debate the merits of a Supreme Court nominee. The Senate's past record, unfortunately, has been mixed. Whoever the nominee is, the Senate should focus its attention on judicial qualifications--not personal political beliefs.…”