Russ Feingold

When can we expect the Nuclear Suppliers Group to vote on a final agreement to limit the transfer of enrichment and reprocessing technologies? And are you optimistic that they will approve such an agreement?

We should not pretend that a bilateral agreement with one government will change that fundamental reality.

I am especially pleased that the Senate has addressed this issue and that you have been in support of transitional housing.

It is a great pleasure to introduce to the Committee William M. Conley, who the President has nominated to serve as U.S. District Court Judge in the Western District of Wisconsin.

In recent years, however, these elections have become regrettable political battlegrounds.

I would hope that additional funds for transitional housing will be considered, amongst other issues, such as legal assistance for victims.

Thank you so much, Mr. Chairman, for holding this hearing. It's an important issue that needs to be publicly debated.

I just want to follow up with something Senator Sessions was questioning you about.

Losing 51:49 is not exactly a mark of shame or rejection.

The founders of the country did not say, if you've lost a previous popular election you're disqualified to be a Federal judge.

It is important to vigorously debate whether this agreement--and our practice of pursuing this type of agreement with other countries--is a sensible policy from a nonproliferation perspective.

So do you agree that over-zealous enforcement of intellectual property rights could reduce our citizens' legitimate access to information, and will you ensure transparency in policy development so that all of the ramifications of these…

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

How has your experience on the Wisconsin Supreme Court made you better prepared to be a trial court judge at the Federal level?

Well, Doctor, I think it is a very wise remark, and it really helps advance the debate...

The idea that somehow the Supreme Court popular election would in any way undermine this appointment, I would have to reject out of hand.

Justice, you've been a public defender, but not a prosecutor. That puts you in a minority among nominees to the Federal bench.

I am concerned, however, that if we continue to encourage countries to pursue nuclear energy, it is only a matter of time before one of them decides to acquire an enrichment or reprocessing capacity.

I think our current approach may be driving them together.

I do want to commend you for your leadership on human rights issues, however.

It is important to understand the history for context, but often constitutional problems creep up slowly.

I think this is a serious issue that deserves serious study.

I have no objection either to the people serving as advisers to the president, or to the policy issues they are addressing.

Should I be concerned that this special envoy and his staff may unconstitutionally infringe and/or ignore the Assistant Secretary's authority?

I think that is what Senator Feingold is attempting to do with this hearing--is to re-establish the confidence that the American people that everything is aboveboard, that it is transparent, that we can see it is working, and if people…