Political Quotes

“Reserving the right to object, I do say to my colleague, perhaps we should, in the spirit of harmony, work together and see if we can get a commitment that will be binding, not just for this Congress but perhaps one in the future, that would do a little better job than we have done in moving nominations. I do think there is room for criticism and we could do better. And I feel a responsibility, I say to Senator Udall, to work with good people on the other side to try to do that. With regard to these two nominees, Mr. Chatigny is a controversial nominee. He stayed the execution of a serial murderer, and, among other things he did, he found that sexual sadism was a mitigating factor that would mitigate against him receiving the death penalty after he had been duly convicted and sentenced by a Connecticut jury. Mr. Liu is probably the most controversial activist nominee before the Senate. He has written that people have a constitutional right to welfare. He would be very controversial. I say with regard to those two, when they are brought up, Majority Leader Reid will have to be sure there is considerable time available so the debate can be effective. For those reasons, Mr. President, I object. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objection is heard.”