Patrick Leahy

I want to agree with you.

I think we ought to follow the regular order.

You said you were the lucky first inheritor of Dr. King's civil rights legacy.

I think it's safe to say you believe transparency is central to the duties of a judge.

I've authored and I've long championed the bipartisan John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.

I'm so proud of your answers and I appreciate it.

I've always believed that our democracy is stronger when we expand, not shrink, the ranks where our citizens are fully participated.

We do have areas where we agree on things on this Committee, Judge. Senators Grassley and Senator Cornyn, myself and others, believe in transparency as part of our democracy.

I commend you for your poise, your endurance, your thoughtful answers.

I think it would help curtail the growing wave of voter suppression sweeping across our country.

Every single Member of this Committee...should know better than to conflate a nominee's past representation with their policy positions.

If you work across the ideological spectrum, you get better results.

I voted yes because I believed that he had what it takes to serve as an impartial, fair Chief Justice who would uphold the rule of law.

Now that's a statement from the largest law enforcement labor organization in the United States.

I contrast that with Republicans' treatment of then Judge Merrick Garland. We're still waiting today for Republicans to explain on the record what kind of substantive concerns they had with Merrick Garland that they blocked him for over a…

You know, any time I had an opportunity to argue a case at an appellate level, I don't think I ever thought about who nominated or appointed the judges I was before.

One doesn't have to have the same political beliefs or ideologies as a judicial nominee to recognize their integrity and intellect.

And it also guarantees that our Constitution is going to be followed.

Those of us who have spent time in courtrooms know you have to have both a skilled prosecutor and a skilled defender.

I believe that--in fact, I don't think of it as a liability. I think it's going to be a major asset to you, and I think it should be welcomed on the Supreme Court.

I believe that your experience as a Federal public defender has made you a better judge, helped you maintain impartial and balanced perspective in criminal and other cases.

Any nomination--any nomination--to the Court is historic.

What do you say to people who say you're soft on crime or even anti-law enforcement because you accepted your duties as a public defender?

Her nomination, pending a confirmation by the Senate, will bring us one step closer to having a Supreme Court that is more reflective of our Nation.

You are writing a new page in the history of America, a good page.