Mr. President, I have been urging Republicans and Democrats in the Senate to come together and take action to begin to end the vacancy crisis that is threatening the administration of justice by our Federal courts. I asked only that Senators follow the Golden Rule. Regrettably that has not happened. Now 38 judicial nominees whose qualifications are well established are being delayed. They should be confirmed before we adjourn. Adherence to the Golden Rule, a simple step, would help us return to our Senate traditions, and allow the Senate to better fulfill its responsibilities to the American people and the Federal judiciary. I was encouraged last week when Senator Sessions, the Judiciary Committee's ranking Republican, provided assurance that the many judicial nominees who have been stalled for months and months without Senate action will be confirmed before we adjourn. He is in a position to know. As the Republican leader on the committee, he works directly with the Republican leadership that continues to hold up virtually all judicial nominees, just as it has for months and months. At our Judiciary Committee business meeting on December 1, Senator Sessions said: ``The truth is except for a few nominees, the overwhelming majority have moved with bipartisan unanimous support and will be confirmed on the floor.'' He went on to predict that a number ``will clear before the session is over.'' I hope this assurance is true.…
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