Pete Sessions: “there have been several speakers, including the Senator from Ohio and the Senator from Missouri, who have talked about…”

“there have been several speakers, including the Senator from Ohio and the Senator from Missouri, who have talked about the unique circumstances that are at foot here in dealing with the Ninth Circuit, and that we have a responsibility and a duty to make sure that we use our advise and consent authority wisely to improve the courts in America, and the Ninth Circuit is in need of, severe need of reform. It has been reversed in nearly 90 percent of its cases in the last 2 years--an unprecedented record that no circuit, to my knowledge, has even been suggested to have approached. The New York Times has referred to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals--which includes California and most of the west coast--and they said that a majority of the Supreme Court considers the Ninth Circuit a rogue circuit. Now, some Senators suggest this is politics. Mr. President, I was elected by the people of my State to come here, and one of my duties is to evaluate Federal judges. I have affirmed and voted for the overwhelming majority of the Clinton nominees. I am willing to vote on this one. I have agreed to this nomination to come up and be voted on. But I want to have my say. I am concerned about this. I don't think that is politics.”