John Cornyn: “I support the nomination of Sam Alito to the U.S. Supreme Court. The American people, in public opinion polls we have…”

“I support the nomination of Sam Alito to the U.S. Supreme Court. The American people, in public opinion polls we have seen reported in the newspapers, indicate they also want Judge Alito on the Supreme Court. Yet we are here today, after extended debate, because there are a handful of Senators who are determined to stop Judge Alito's nomination from even receiving an up-or-down vote. Hence, at 4:30 we will have a vote on cloture, whether to close debate. It is my sincere hope that at least 60 Senators will vote to close debate so tomorrow morning we can have that up-or-down vote that this nominee deserves and that the Constitution requires. There really is no pretense that this tactic of delay for delay's sake is needed for extended debate. Judge Alito was nominated months ago, and we have been debating this nomination without interruption since last Wednesday. Not only has Judge Alito been investigated by the FBI but also by the American Bar Association's Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary. He has been investigated by the Senate Judiciary Committee, on which I am proud to serve, and been through extended televised hearings. The fact is, even the minority leader, the Democrat leader, conceded ``[t]here's been adequate time for people to debate'' this nomination. So this is delay for delay's sake. Fortunately, there is no indication this delay tactic will succeed.…”