Patrick Leahy: “as we debate the nominations of Richard Griffin and David McKeague to the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, and move on to…”

“as we debate the nominations of Richard Griffin and David McKeague to the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, and move on to their almost certain confirmation, I believe we must acknowledge the cooperation and statesmanship of the two Senators from Michigan who have compromised a great deal in order to contribute to the preservation of the rules and traditions of the Senate. Senator Levin and Senator Stabenow have spent much of the last 4 years trying to persuade the President to fulfill his constitutional duty and consult with them on his Michigan appointments, to no avail. Because of that lack of cooperation, combined with the shameful treatment given to President Clinton's nominees, the Michigan Senators exercised their right as home State Senators to withhold their consent to the nominations of candidates chosen without consultation to the Sixth Circuit. The Michigan Senators had the support of other Senators. Nonetheless, the Michigan Senators, with grace and dedication to this institution, withdrew their opposition to three of those nominees as part of the discussions related to averting the nuclear option. Because of their willingness to go forward, we are here today debating and voting upon the confirmation of two nominees to the Sixth Circuit despite a lack of consultation by President Bush and a complete disregard for the history of this court.…”