Orrin Hatch

He has said that. But the Justice Department has tremendous problems. They not only consider it a matter of principle, they consider it a matter of absolute principle.

I would never want to characterize either as being liberal or conservative. But I think people who know can very easily characterize them.

He did. He served as an assistant to the Solicitor General and came away with virtual raves for his work. Only one person has criticized him, and we have more than made it clear that that criticism is blown away by that person's, Professor…

He came to the United States at age 17, if I recall it correctly. He had a very limited knowledge of English, taught himself English, went on to Columbia University, graduating magna cum laude, and from there went on to Harvard University…

Miguel Estrada is a full partner in one of the great law firms of the country, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, at his young age. He has argued 15 cases before the Supreme Court, winning 10 of them. That is a pretty good record. By the way, I…

The nominee, Miguel Estrada, worked for the Clinton administration. He worked in the Solicitor General's Office of the Justice Department in the Clinton administration. And it is highly unlikely that he would have received the support of…

Is the Senator aware that I just went through that the Justice Department proved that these types of documents have never been given to anybody?

Is the Senator telling me no matter what I offer that Senate Democrats are going to object?

Senator Feinstein asked him about Roe v. Wade. He basically said that he should not discuss his views on it, but he said, on page 128: I have had no particular reason to go back and look at whether it was right or wrong as a matter of law…

Well, he did. In his oral questions he was asked about Roe v. Wade, and he said it was settled law, he would apply it. Maybe he did not say exactly what you wanted him to at the time, but that is what he did say.

It is on page 128 of the transcript. Specifically asked, he said it is settled law and he would apply it. I do not know what more he could say.

No, I think the Senators on the committee can ask any questions they want to, but I think it is incumbent upon the nominee to follow Mr. Lloyd Cutler's suggestion that ``candidates should decline to reply when efforts are made to find out…

The Senator is an excellent lawyer. I know he is. I have tremendous respect for him. He sits on the committee. I enjoy him. But when you ask questions like that, those are areas where cases come before the Circuit Court of Appeals in the…

One of the Democrats on the floor said, if I recall correctly, he asked the question, what is your belief about the first amendment. Gee whiz, I could teach law school class for over 3 months on that subject alone. Another--it may have…

I agree where there are no paper trails, you should ask questions. ... injecting ideology into the confirmation process is misguided, at best, and down right irresponsible at worst.

Is the Senator aware that every Republican Hispanic member in the House is totally in support of Mr. Estrada?

I will try not to interrupt the Senator anymore, but the point I was making with the briefs in the Supreme Court--15 of them and more--is that there is a record from which you certainly can determine legal reasoning, as well as an…

Is the Senator aware that Miguel Estrada has argued 15 cases before the Supreme Court?

I still remain very hopeful that we will reach a consent to have a vote on the nomination after some further reasonable period of time. I hope our colleagues on the other side will permit a vote on Miguel Estrada. I think it is the right…

These are three excellent district court nominees. They deserve to be confirmed, as I think all of President Bush's nominees deserve to be confirmed. I recommend every Senator vote for each of these three nominees. I hope we can get other…

I might add Ms. Braceras' father is a Clinton appointee to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals, and she is outraged at what is happening to Miguel Estrada.

But the letter speaks for itself and shows a lack of support for a Hispanic person who is fully qualified.

I believe they are entitled to their opinion but they are not entitled to their own facts. They have to live with the facts that exist. I don't see a fairness in this process. It has not been fair. It has been quite partisan, especially on…

I will put Seth Waxman up against Paul Bender any day, any time, anywhere. This is not some right-wing fanatic.

That is on the one page, the first page limited to 40 years, and on the second page it was more broad. But it wasn't clear that it meant all of jurisprudence. On the next page, again, 40 years. That is just my point. All I am saying is in…