Orrin Hatch: “This is now eight judges who the Democrats have indicated they would filibuster in the Senate, including this very…”

“This is now eight judges who the Democrats have indicated they would filibuster in the Senate, including this very excellent candidate for the Federal bench, William G. Myers III. We have never had filibusters of judicial nominees in the history of this country, not one time before. No one in the past has been willing to violate the rules in such a fashion until this President was elected. It began with Miguel Estrada who, of course, removed his name from consideration. After having sat there for better than 2 years, he decided he better get back to his law practice. It includes another seven, including Mr. Myers, who the Democrats have indicated they will filibuster--in other words, try to talk to death this nomination. Since they have been able to keep control of almost everybody in their caucus, needing only 41 votes against cloture--in other words, against ending the debate so a vote can be taken--they have subverted the rules and have caused what is going to be called a crisis unless we can find a way around it. It is a crisis now because excellent nominees have been badly mistreated in the Senate by not even getting a vote up or down. Once a nominee is brought to the floor, that nominee deserves, under the advice and consent clause of the Constitution, article II, section 2, a vote up or down.”