Political Quotes

“I would apologize for the lack of judicial nominations on the Executive Calendar but for the fact that is has been the refusal of Republicans to cooperate this year in reporting out nominations that has lead to the current circumstance. The fact is that we concluded last session by confirming each and every judicial nomination that was reported out of the Judiciary Committee. None were carried over into this new year. And despite my efforts in February, when the Judiciary Committee held two hearings for seven judicial nominees, including a circuit nominee, Republican members of the Judiciary Committee effectively boycotted our business meetings in February and obstructed our ability to report judicial nominations and high-ranking Justice Department nominations. I adjourned both our February 14 and February 28 meetings for lack of a quorum. At the first meeting only one Republican Senator was present. At the latter, the ranking member chose to leave. Despite the partisan posturing by the President and Senate Republicans, I have continued to move forward and sought to make progress but, I must admit, my patience is wearing thin.”