"I hope to work with you in a productive way on legitimate concerns that I and others in the Senate have about the extent of Government's surveillance powers."
"I am deeply humbled by this opportunity to appear this morning and participate in what I regard, and I think you regard, as one of the most solemn responsibilities of the United States Senate: fulfill..."
"The election of Barack Obama and Joe Biden and the President-elect's selection of Eric Holder Jr. to be Attorney General of the United States provide a historic opportunity for the country to move pas..."
"We do it for everybody, black, white, Hispanic, whatever they might be, poor, rich, to make sure that the right to vote in this country is given to everybody."
"I have joined this morning out of friendship, but also I weigh very heavily coming before the Senate again so soon after my retirement, but I felt that I wanted to be among those all across this Natio..."
"I believe Eric is competent, capable, and a fair-minded lawyer who will not hesitate to uphold and defend the laws and the Constitution of the United States."
"It is very clear I am going to vote for you."
"I do want to help President-elect Obama. It is very important. There are enormous problems facing this country."
"The Justice Department has been slow, ineffective, and sometimes obstructionist in implementing these programs."
"The Attorney General position must be filled quickly. We remain a Nation at war and a Nation that faces the continuous threat of a terrorist attack."
"Separation of powers is the rock bed of our republic, and independence is very important."