Political Quotes

“I began the year expressing my hope that we would set aside our differences and do what is best for this country by confirming qualified nominees to fill these critical vacancies facing our Federal judiciary. I have been here with both Republican and Democratic leadership, Republican and Democratic Presidents. Never in my 40 years in the Senate have I seen such an effort to exploit every means of delay for every judicial nomination, even when a nominee is supported by both Republicans and Democrats and supported by their home State Senators. This did not happen with President Ford, with President Carter, with President Reagan, with President George H.W. Bush, with President Clinton, with President George W. Bush. This President is treated differently. Now, I have heard some Senate Republicans claim the majority leader can simply bring up these nominations for a vote whenever he chooses to do so. I think that is done with the hope that some in the press or some people watching may not understand they are hiding from the American people the fact that they are not letting the majority leader bring them up for a vote. In fact, if their claims were true, we would be voting to confirm four district court judges tonight. Instead, the Senate Republicans are deliberately obstructing and placing roadblocks so that each and every confirmation takes longer. It is very similar to what they did when they caused the needless and costly partial shutdown of the government.…”