John Cornyn: “The American people know a controversial ruling when they see one, be it the redefinition of a traditional institution…”

“The American people know a controversial ruling when they see one, be it the redefinition of a traditional institution such as marriage, the expulsion of the Pledge of Allegiance, and other expressions of faith from the public square, the elimination of the ``three strikes and you're out'' law, and other penalties for convicted criminals, or the forced removal of military recruiters from college campuses. Justice Owen's rulings fall nowhere near this standard or category. There is a whole world of difference between struggling to interpret the ambiguous expressions of a legislature and refusing to obey a legislature's directives altogether. It is clear Justice Owen deserves the broad bipartisan and enthusiastic support she obviously enjoys across the political spectrum. It is equally clear her opposition comes only from a narrow band on the far left fringes of that political spectrum. If the Senate were merely to observe 200 years of consistent Senate and constitutional tradition dating back to our Founders, there would be no question about her ability to be confirmed. She would be sitting on the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. Legal scholars across the political spectrum have long concluded what we in this body know instinctively, and that is to change the rules of confirmation as a partisan minority has done badly politicizes the judiciary and hands over control of the judiciary to special interest groups.…”