Orrin Hatch: “I listened to these remarks, and I am outraged. I know they were not written by any staffer for Senator Reid, and they…”

“I listened to these remarks, and I am outraged. I know they were not written by any staffer for Senator Reid, and they are not accurate. I think we have had very disdainful treatment of one of the most prestigious and important Senators in the history of this body. Let's think about it. Yesterday, Chairman Leahy denied a vote on Dennis Shedd, President Bush's nominee for the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, the nominee from South Carolina. This action was outrageous because yesterday may very well have been the last markup Senator Thurmond, the former chairman of the Judiciary Committee, who cares very deeply about Judge Shedd's nomination, was able to attend. The committee rules are very clear. They allow an agenda item held over from 1 week, which Judge Shedd was held over, to be brought up on the next agenda. He was held over on September 19 on that markup agenda by the Democrats. Yesterday, Chairman Leahy, in violation of committee rules, removed Judge Shedd from the agenda. This is not right.”