Political Quotes

“I don't wish to in any way cut into the time of the senior Senator from Wyoming, but I hope once he and Senator Barrasso have finished speaking--once their time is consumed--we might agree that the vote will still be at 5:30, if possible, or as close to that time as possible. Our Constitution provides the Senate an important role to play in providing advice to the President and in voting on whether to confirm nominees for our third branch of government. Last month, we were reminded of the importance of these confirmation votes when the Supreme Court handed down several narrowly-decided opinions that are already impacting millions of Americans. As a senior member of this chamber, I have voted on the confirmation of every one of the nine justices currently serving. Since only a tiny percentage of cases brought in Federal court ever end up at the Supreme Court, the Federal courts of appeal are often the courts of last resort for most disputes. I am glad that today we are finally voting to confirm another appellate nominee. Before the Memorial Day recess, the minority leader asked during a floor debate when Gregory Phillips, the Wyoming nominee to the Tenth Circuit, would receive a vote. When the majority leader immediately offered a vote on that nominee, the minority leader demurred without giving any reason.…”