Political Quotes

“Mr. President, Senate Republicans have not allowed the Senate to act on a judicial nominee for almost 2 weeks. They have continued to stall the almost two dozen judicial nominees reported favorably by the Senate Judiciary Committee, dating back to last November. These 23 judicial nominees awaiting final Senate action include 17 who were reported without any negative votes. That is right--Senate Republicans continue to block Senate consideration and confirmation of nominees, including judicial nominees, who are not only going to be confirmed, but will likely be confirmed unanimously. The majority leader has had to file cloture petitions to cut off the Republican stalling by filibuster votes on President Obama's nominees 22 times. Twice he has had to file cloture to proceed with judicial nominees, only to eventually see those nominees confirmed unanimously. This stalling and obstruction is wrong. Senator Whitehouse, Senator McCaskill, and a number of other Senators have taken up the cause against these delays and secret holds. I thank them. They made live requests for action on the Senate floor to bring these matters into the light. Regrettably, those Republican Senators who had objected did not come forward to identify themselves or the reasons for their objections in accordance with Senate rules. By this date in George W. Bush's Presidency, the Senate had confirmed 52 Federal circuit and district court judges.…”