Russ Feingold: “I also have come to the floor, along with the Senator from Massachusetts and the Senator from Illinois, to talk about…”

“I also have come to the floor, along with the Senator from Massachusetts and the Senator from Illinois, to talk about this very important topic; and that is, the confirmation process for Federal judges. The first thing I want to do is commend the chairman of the Judiciary Committee, Senator Leahy, for the professional and diligent way in which he has handled the confirmation process this year, since taking the helm of the committee in June. His, in some way, is a thankless job, because, as we have observed, no matter how many hearings he holds or judges he moves through the committee, there are those in this body who will never be satisfied. Indeed, it seems that the only thing that will satisfy the critics is for Chairman Leahy to shortchange the important constitutional role that the Senate and the committee play in the confirmation process. But that, I know, he will never do, and the Nation should be very grateful to him for that.”