Political Quotes

“I thank the majority leader for securing votes on 2 of the 22 judicial nominees on the Senate's Executive Calendar ready for Senate consideration. I am glad that we will finally vote on the nominations of Scott Skavdahl to the District of Wyoming and Richard Andrews to the District of Delaware, both qualified, consensus nominees reported unanimously by the Judiciary Committee nearly 2 months ago. I wish that we were able to vote today on the other 20 judicial nominees who have been ready and waiting for final Senate action. This morning the Judiciary Committee reported another 5 judicial nominations, bringing the total to 27 who have been thoroughly vetted, considered and reported by the Judiciary Committee. All 27 of these nominees are qualified and have the support of their home State Senators, Republican and Democratic. Twenty-three of the 27 nominees, like the 2 we will consider today, were unanimously approved by the Judiciary Committee with all members. Senate Democrats are prepared to have votes on all these important nominations. I know of no good reason why the Republican leadership is refusing to proceed on the 20 nominees who have been stalled before the Senate for weeks and months. At a time when vacancies on Federal courts throughout the country remain near 10 percent, the delay in taking up and confirming these consensus judicial nominees is inexcusable. The American people need functioning Federal courts with judges, not vacancies.…”