Political Quotes

“I join the many Members today to support the nomination of our former colleague--our friend, indeed--John Ashcroft, to serve as the Attorney General of the United States. Article II, section 2, of the Constitution provides that the President shall name and, with the advice and consent of the Senate, shall appoint judges of the Supreme Court and all other officers of the United States. Thus, the Constitution provides a role for both the President and the Senate in this process. The President has the power to nominate; the Senate has the power to render advice and consent on the nomination. In fulfilling the constitutional role of the Senate, throughout my career--some 23 years I have been privileged to represent the Commonwealth of Virginia--I have always tried to give fair and objective consideration to both Republican and Democratic Presidential Cabinet-level appointees; as a matter of fact, all appointees. Traditionally, a President, especially after taking office following a national election, should be entitled to select individuals who he believes can best serve this Nation and his goals as President.”