Pete Sessions: “I want to correct Senator Durbin. I think he misspoke when he said the Senate has said no to these nominees. What the…”

“I want to correct Senator Durbin. I think he misspoke when he said the Senate has said no to these nominees. What the Senate has said no to is an up-or-down vote. They have denied these nominees a vote. In each case, these nominees have proven they have a majority of the Senators in this body ready and willing to confirm them, if they are given the up-and-down vote. The systematic use of the filibuster that is occurring now has never before occurred in the history of this Senate. As to the Constitution, I will just point out article II, section 2, quoted by the Senator--this is what it says--the President ``shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties, provided two-thirds of the Senators present concur; and he shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors [and] judges. . . .'' Historically, this body has felt that constitutional language meant treaties required a supermajority, two-thirds vote, and judges would be confirmed by a majority vote, and that is what we have done.”