Political Quotes

“I thank the majority leader for pressing forward to secure a vote on another of the 25 judicial nominees ready for Senate consideration. I am disappointed that the Senate Republican leadership would only agree to vote on 1 of the 25 judicial nominees ready and waiting for final Senate action. All 25 of the nominees are qualified and have the support of their home state Senators, Republican and Democratic. Twenty-one of these judicial nominations were unanimously approved by the Judiciary Committee. 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 24 of the 25 nominations stalled before the Senate. At a time when the vacancy rate on Federal courts throughout the country remains near 10 percent, the delay in taking up and confirming these consensus judicial nominees is inexcusable. I know that Senator Reid is especially pleased that the Senate has the opportunity for a final vote on the nomination of Judge Evan Wallach to fill a vacancy on the Federal Circuit. Judge Wallach is an experienced jurist with a distinguished record who has been serving on the U.S. Court of International Trade. He received the highest possible rating from the American Bar Association's Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary, unanimously ``well qualified.'' I am delighted that Judge Wallach's nomination has not been delayed as long as others.…”