Patrick Leahy: “Equally clear, however, is Peter's commitment to the law, to fair judging, to leaving any partisan label or interest at…”

“Equally clear, however, is Peter's commitment to the law, to fair judging, to leaving any partisan label or interest at the courthouse door. Unless somebody knew his background, they would have no idea whether he is Republican or Democrat. He is a committed officer of the court, totally fair to both sides. In fact, he is the type of nominee every President should send up. I wish we would see more like him. He is universally respected. He has proven himself over long years of Federal service and private practice to be a straight-shooting, fair-minded person. Any litigant in a Federal courtroom can be confident they will get a fair hearing and a fair shake from him, no matter what their political affiliation is or whether they have any. I am pleased-- I am more than pleased, I am proud--to support his confirmation. One example of the fairness and lack of bias litigants in the Second Circuit can expect is seen in his answers to one of the questions I asked him at his nomination hearing before the Judiciary Committee. I asked him what his practice would be if a case came to the Second Circuit, a case that had been in the U.S. Attorney's office when he was there, even if he had not been the attorney handling the case. His answer, which I commend to all nominees, is a model of fairness, and was also a model of simplicity. He told me he would recuse himself from any case that had been before his office while he was there. No ifs, ands, or buts.…”