Political Quotes

“I wanted to speak based on my experience over the years as a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee--as the ranking member, as the chairman--on something very public that has happened. Many Senators in both parties have appropriately condemned the racist comments recently made by the Republican Party's presumptive Presidential nominee about Judge Curiel. Sadly, these baseless allegations he has made against a distinguished Federal judge come as no surprise. We have seen for months that personal insults are the calling card of the Republican standard bearer. But I would say, similar to what many in both parties have said, anyone seeking the highest office of this great Nation has to understand the fundamental role that judges play in our democracy. The rule of law protects all of us, but only when administered by an independent judiciary. I am deeply troubled by this attack on a sitting Federal judge, but make no mistake--it is not the first, nor will it be the last Republican attack on the independence of our Federal judiciary. This may be the most extreme example, but it is just the latest in a series of Republican actions that seek to undermine and compromise a coequal branch of government. For more than 7 years, Senate Republicans have tried to block judicial nominations through stalling and delaying. They have even distorted the records of the men and women nominated to serve on the Federal bench.…”