Orrin Hatch: “I had not planned to speak on this, but there have been some issues raised by both sides that I would like to clarify…”

“I had not planned to speak on this, but there have been some issues raised by both sides that I would like to clarify and put to rest. One of the most difficult committees in the Congress is the Judiciary Committee. Its work is very important. We handle the confirmation of all judges in the Federal courts and confirmation of many, many other officials. Nobody takes this responsibility any stronger or any more significantly than I do. Since I have been in the Senate, 19 years, a high percentage of judges who currently sit on the Federal bench have come before the committee while I have been a member. I consider the review of judicial nominees to be one of the most important functions of the Senate. The committee has completed its investigation of Judge Dennis and into Justice Dennis' decision not to recuse himself from a lawsuit involving a Louisiana newspaper. Additionally, we have thoroughly investigated the nominee's failure to notify the committee of the newspaper's inquiry. In my humble opinion, a case can be made that Justice Dennis should have recused himself pursuant to canon 2 of the Louisiana Code of Judicial Conduct. I do not believe that he intentionally violated any code of conduct. But, having said that, a case can be made that he should have recused himself in order to avoid the appearance of impropriety.”