Orrin Hatch: “I am happy to be able to take the floor this morning to argue in favor of Miguel Estrada. Miguel is one of the finest…”

“I am happy to be able to take the floor this morning to argue in favor of Miguel Estrada. Miguel is one of the finest lawyers in the country. He has arrived at this position and status, where he is approved by the American Bar Association as 'unanimously well qualified,' the highest rating that the American Bar Association can give. He has had his critics, but only in generalized terms. He has had his critics who I don't think have a leg to stand on in the criticism they are raising. One of the more ridiculous assertions that I have heard about Miguel is that he was not especially or sufficiently responsive at his hearing and therefore we need to have a second hearing to evaluate him. Keep in mind, the Democrats were in control of the Judiciary Committee. They called the hearing, they controlled the hearing, they controlled the timing of the hearing, they controlled the time for questions by Senators. And at least one Democrat said the hearing was conducted in a fair and responsible manner, and I personally agree with that.”