John Cornyn: “Well, Mr. President, we are now back in session after a busy 2-week recess where I know many of us were traveling in our…”

“Well, Mr. President, we are now back in session after a busy 2-week recess where I know many of us were traveling in our States or parts of the world and attending to our duties here in the Senate in various capacities. But now we are back here in Washington, DC, and it appears to me that we have a whole lot we need to do before the Fourth of July recess. But before we begin the day-to-day task of legislating, the majority leader, it is reported, is expected to ask for some personnel changes in the Senate. Senator Feinstein, our colleague from California, has been out for a couple of months due to some health issues--not an uncommon occurrence here in the Senate, and I know the entire Senate joins me in wishing her a quick recovery and a speedy return here to the Senate. But given the tight margins in this Chamber, her absence has created some complications for Senator Schumer within the Senate Judiciary Committee on which I serve. Without her vote, our Democratic colleagues are simply unable to advance the most controversial and partisan judicial nominees whom the President has selected. Given the lack of Republican support, these partisan nominees simply cannot move to the Senate floor for a vote. To get around the issue, Senator Schumer has come up with a unique proposal. He wants to temporarily replace Senator Feinstein on the Judiciary Committee.…”