DOCSLIB.ORG

Congressional Record United States Th of America PROCEEDINGS and DEBATES of the 109 CONGRESS, FIRST SESSION

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Congressional Record United States Th of America PROCEEDINGS and DEBATES of the 109 CONGRESS, FIRST SESSION E PL UR UM IB N U U S Congressional Record United States th of America PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES OF THE 109 CONGRESS, FIRST SESSION Vol. 151 WASHINGTON, WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 2005 No. 66 Senate The Senate met at 9:30 a.m. and was U.S. SENATE, EXECUTIVE SESSION called to order by the Honorable SAM PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE, BROWNBACK, a Senator from the State Washington, DC, May 18, 2005. of Kansas. To the Senate: NOMINATION OF PRISCILLA Under the provisions of rule I, paragraph 3, RICHMAN OWEN TO BE UNITED PRAYER of the Standing Rules of the Senate, I hereby STATES CIRCUIT JUDGE FOR appoint the Honorable SAM BROWNBACK, a THE FIFTH CIRCUIT The Chaplain, Dr. Barry C. Black, of- Senator from the State of Kansas, to per- fered the following prayer: form the duties of the Chair. Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask Let us pray. TED STEVENS, unanimous consent that the Senate Eternal Spirit, the fountain of light President pro tempore. now proceed to executive session to and wisdom, without Whom nothing is Mr. BROWNBACK thereupon as- consider calendar No. 71, the nomina- holy and nothing prevails, You have sumed the Chair as Acting President tion of Priscilla Owen to be United challenged us to let our lights shine, so pro tempore. States Circuit Judge for the Fifth Cir- that people can see our good works and cuit; provided further that the first glorify Your Name. f hour of debate, from 9:45 to 10:45, be Today, shine the light of Your pres- RESERVATION OF LEADER TIME under the control of the majority lead- ence through our Senators and illu- er or his designee; further that the minate our Nation and world. Permit The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- next hour, from 10:45 to 11:45, be under this light to be a beacon of hope for pore. Under the previous order, the the control of the Democratic leader or emerging democracies and a gleam of leadership time is reserved. his designee; and the time for debate encouragement for freedom fighters. f rotate in a similar manner every 60 Use this light to provide a model of pa- minutes; provided further that the Sen- tience and peace to a world searching RECOGNITION OF THE MAJORITY ate recess from 3:45 to 4:45 to accommo- for direction. LEADER date an all-Senators briefing; provided Lord, let this brightness bring hope The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- further that the time from 5:45 to 7:15 where there is despair, unity where pore. The majority leader is recog- be under the control of the Democratic there is division, and joy where there is nized. leader and the time from 7:15 to 7:45 be sadness. Remind each of us that it is under the control of the majority lead- better to light one candle than to curse f er or his designee. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- the darkness. We pray in the Name of SCHEDULE the One Who is the Light of the World. pore. Is there objection? Amen. Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, today, we Mr. REID. Mr. President, reserving will begin debate on one of the judicial the right to object, first of all, I would f nominations pending on the Executive ask the distinguished majority leader PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE Calendar. In a moment, we will enter to amend his unanimous consent re- into a consent agreement to begin the quest to have the time begin when we The Honorable SAM BROWNBACK led consideration of Priscilla Owen to be complete our statements today. We the Pledge of Allegiance, as follows: United States Circuit Judge for the might not be at a quarter of the hour, I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the Fifth Circuit. but whenever that would be we would United States of America, and to the Repub- I have consulted with the Democratic rotate on an hourly basis. lic for which it stands, one nation under God, leader, and we hope to have an orderly Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I have no indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. debate for Members to come to the objection. f floor to make their statements. To fa- The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- cilitate that process, we will rotate pore. Is there objection to the modified APPOINTMENT OF ACTING back and forth between the aisle every request? PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE 60 minutes. I will have a short state- Mr. REID. Mr. President, I have an- The PRESIDING OFFICER. The ment, the Democratic leader will have other reservation. clerk will please read a communication a statement following mine, and then The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- to the Senate from the President pro we will begin the rotation back and pore. The Democratic leader. tempore (Mr. STEVENS). forth. I look forward to this debate, Mr. REID. Mr. President, I would ask The legislative clerk read the fol- and I hope all Members will take the the distinguished majority leader lowing letter: opportunity to participate. would we not be better off moving to ∑ This ‘‘bullet’’ symbol identifies statements or insertions which are not spoken by a Member of the Senate on the floor. S5373 . VerDate Aug 04 2004 05:34 May 19, 2005 Jkt 039060 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 0624 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A18MY6.000 S18PT1 S5374 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — SENATE May 18, 2005 get rid of—I don’t mean that in a pejo- The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- very difficult problems, and it sur- rative sense—but clear the calendar of pore. The majority leader. prised everyone. four, at this stage, noncontroversial Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I would be The distinguished Senator from Mas- judges? We could move to Thomas Grif- happy to look at the letter and request sachusetts and now retired Senator fith, who is on the calendar. We could of the administration, what requests Phil Gramm were the people who saved move to discharge and consider the are made in the letter, and see what the day—two people who battled ideo- Michigan Circuit Court nominees, Grif- their response would be. logically for a combined total of 40 or fin, McKeague, and Neilson. We could In the meantime, Mr. President, 50 years. Basically, because of them, we get time agreements on all those. We what I would like to do is proceed with resolved an extremely difficult issue as would have four circuit judges. They Priscilla Owen, who is a qualified to how the impeachment would be han- would be able to go to work within a nominee, who is a nominee we are dled. few days—actually go to work. Other- going to have a lot of debate on back So I would ask my distinguished wise, they are going to be waiting until and forth, to determine whether or not friend, the Republican leader, to con- we go through all of this. It would she is out of the mainstream, as people sider joining with me and having, in seem to me that would be the better say. We will go through regular order the next day or so—hopefully today— thing to do. So I would ask the distin- and take these nominees the President have all of us retire to the Chamber guished majority leader if he would has submitted to the Judiciary Com- and sit down and talk through this agree that we could move to these, mittee, who have been fully evaluated issue and see if there is a way we can with reasonable time agreements, prior in the Judiciary Committee, and who resolve this short of this so-called nu- to moving to Priscilla Owen? now are on the Executive Calendar clear option. I think it would be good The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- ready for business. for the body. I think it would be good pore. The majority leader. So we are going to begin that debate for the American public to see we are Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, through shortly. able to sit down in the same room and the Chair, we have given careful con- Mr. KENNEDY. Well, reserving my work things out. I am not sure that we sideration of which would be the most rights further, Mr. President, as I un- could, but I think it would be worthy of appropriate person to begin with. It is derstand, there is a new nominee who our efforts. Nothing ventured, nothing Priscilla Owen. So we will proceed with is on the Executive Calendar, Brian gained. I would ask my friend if he Priscilla Owen. There are five people Sandoval of Nevada, who has general would consider following the sugges- on the Executive Calendar, and our in- broad support. Is he not a nominee we tion of Senator BENNETT of Utah. tention would be to debate these nomi- could confirm in a matter of moments The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- nees, one by one; and hopefully, as here? We could at least take care of pore. The majority leader. other nominees come out of the Judici- that vacancy. Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, as always, ary Committee, to take them up as Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I do not we will take into consideration all sug- well. So we will be proceeding with believe he is on the Executive Cal- gestions and be happy to talk to the Priscilla Owen. endar. To the best of my knowledge—at leadership on both sides of the aisle as Mr. REID. Mr. President, one further least he is not on the Executive Cal- to whether that suggestion is the most statement.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • A Test for Bush's Republican Majority
    Introduction Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik German Institute for International and Security Affairs A Test for Bush’s Republican Majority The “Filibuster”-Debate in the U.S. Senate Michael Kolkmann SWP Comments Six months after the re-election of President George W. Bush many observers wonder whether and to what extent the Republican majorities on Capitol Hill are reliable and durable. The issue gained significance following the battle about the confirmation of several judges that were nominated by Bush to the Federal bench; Democratic Senators opposed these nominations and tried to block them by using the parliamen- tary instrument of the filibuster. A bipartisan agreement brokered by moderate Senators and signed on 23 May 2005 temporarily resolved the explosive divisiveness and conflict potential of the judicial nominations. The filibuster debate was the first and potentially foremost test for President Bush to determine how far he can count on his legislative majority in Congress in the upcoming legislative battles. The debate got heated when Democrats bloc. The filibuster debate presented a blocked the confirmation of seven judicial serious challenge for President Bush, nominees by Bush using the parliamentary because a successful filibuster would have instrument of the filibuster. A filibuster is slowed down or even prevented Senate typically an extremely long speech that action on Bush’s reform initiatives for his is used primarily to stall the legislative second term. process and thus derail a particular piece of legislation or a nomination introduced by the executive. The filibuster is possible Use of the “Nuclear Option”? because the legislative process in the Senate Republicans could decide to suspend the is governed by relatively liberal and flexible rules guiding the floor proceedings of rules—compared to the House of Represen- the U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • Congressional Record United States Th of America PROCEEDINGS and DEBATES of the 112 CONGRESS, SECOND SESSION
    E PL UR UM IB N U U S Congressional Record United States th of America PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES OF THE 112 CONGRESS, SECOND SESSION Vol. 158 WASHINGTON, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2012 No. 149 Senate The Senate met at 10 a.m. and was COONS, a Senator from the State of Dela- A bill (S. 3637) to temporarily extend the called to order by the Honorable CHRIS- ware, to perform the duties of the Chair. transaction account guarantee program, and TOPHER A. COONS, a Senator from the DANIEL K. INOUYE, for other purposes. State of Delaware. President pro tempore. Mr. REID. Mr. President, I would ob- Mr. COONS thereupon assumed the ject to any further proceedings with re- PRAYER chair as Acting President pro tempore. spect to this bill at this time. The Chaplain, Dr. Barry C. Black, of- f The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- fered the following prayer: RECOGNITION OF THE MAJORITY pore. Objection is heard. The bill will Let us pray. LEADER be placed on the calendar. Eternal God, the source of our joy, Mr. REID. Mr. President, this is one thank You for this opportunity to call The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tem- of the must-do pieces of legislation we on Your Name. You have sustained this pore. The majority leader is recog- have to do before this calendar year Nation through the seasons of its exist- nized. ends. ence, and we are depending on You, f FINDING COMMON GROUND Lord, to guard our future with Your might. NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZA- Mr. REID. Mr. President, too often it As our Senators seek to do the work TION ACT FOR FISCAL YEAR is a challenge to find common ground of freedom, deepen their love for those 2012—MOTION TO PROCEED—Re- here in Washington.
    [Show full text]
  • The Senate in Transition Or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Nuclear Option1
    \\jciprod01\productn\N\NYL\19-4\NYL402.txt unknown Seq: 1 3-JAN-17 6:55 THE SENATE IN TRANSITION OR HOW I LEARNED TO STOP WORRYING AND LOVE THE NUCLEAR OPTION1 William G. Dauster* The right of United States Senators to debate without limit—and thus to filibuster—has characterized much of the Senate’s history. The Reid Pre- cedent, Majority Leader Harry Reid’s November 21, 2013, change to a sim- ple majority to confirm nominations—sometimes called the “nuclear option”—dramatically altered that right. This article considers the Senate’s right to debate, Senators’ increasing abuse of the filibuster, how Senator Reid executed his change, and possible expansions of the Reid Precedent. INTRODUCTION .............................................. 632 R I. THE NATURE OF THE SENATE ........................ 633 R II. THE FOUNDERS’ SENATE ............................. 637 R III. THE CLOTURE RULE ................................. 639 R IV. FILIBUSTER ABUSE .................................. 641 R V. THE REID PRECEDENT ............................... 645 R VI. CHANGING PROCEDURE THROUGH PRECEDENT ......... 649 R VII. THE CONSTITUTIONAL OPTION ........................ 656 R VIII. POSSIBLE REACTIONS TO THE REID PRECEDENT ........ 658 R A. Republican Reaction ............................ 659 R B. Legislation ...................................... 661 R C. Supreme Court Nominations ..................... 670 R D. Discharging Committees of Nominations ......... 672 R E. Overruling Home-State Senators ................. 674 R F. Overruling the Minority Leader .................. 677 R G. Time To Debate ................................ 680 R CONCLUSION................................................ 680 R * Former Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy for U.S. Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid. The author has worked on U.S. Senate and White House staffs since 1986, including as Staff Director or Deputy Staff Director for the Committees on the Budget, Labor and Human Resources, and Finance.
    [Show full text]
  • Trump Judges: Even More Extreme Than Reagan and Bush Judges
    Trump Judges: Even More Extreme Than Reagan and Bush Judges September 3, 2020 Executive Summary In June, President Donald Trump pledged to release a new short list of potential Supreme Court nominees by September 1, 2020, for his consideration should he be reelected in November. While Trump has not yet released such a list, it likely would include several people he has already picked for powerful lifetime seats on the federal courts of appeals. Trump appointees' records raise alarms about the extremism they would bring to the highest court in the United States – and the people he would put on the appellate bench if he is reelected to a second term. According to People For the American Way’s ongoing research, these judges (including those likely to be on Trump’s short list), have written or joined more than 100 opinions or dissents as of August 31 that are so far to the right that in nearly one out of every four cases we have reviewed, other Republican-appointed judges, including those on Trump’s previous Supreme Court short lists, have disagreed with them.1 Considering that every Republican president since Ronald Reagan has made a considerable effort to pick very conservative judges, the likelihood that Trump could elevate even more of his extreme judicial picks raises serious concerns. On issues including reproductive rights, voting rights, police violence, gun safety, consumer rights against corporations, and the environment, Trump judges have consistently sided with right-wing special interests over the American people – even measured against other Republican-appointed judges. Many of these cases concern majority rulings issued or joined by Trump judges.
    [Show full text]
  • The Filibuster and Reconciliation: the Future of Majoritarian Lawmaking in the U.S
    The Filibuster and Reconciliation: The Future of Majoritarian Lawmaking in the U.S. Senate Tonja Jacobi†* & Jeff VanDam** “If this precedent is pushed to its logical conclusion, I suspect there will come a day when all legislation will be done through reconciliation.” — Senator Tom Daschle, on the prospect of using budget reconciliation procedures to pass tax cuts in 19961 Passing legislation in the United States Senate has become a de facto super-majoritarian undertaking, due to the gradual institutionalization of the filibuster — the practice of unending debate in the Senate. The filibuster is responsible for stymieing many legislative policies, and was the cause of decades of delay in the development of civil rights protection. Attempts at reforming the filibuster have only exacerbated the problem. However, reconciliation, a once obscure budgetary procedure, has created a mechanism of avoiding filibusters. Consequently, reconciliation is one of the primary means by which significant controversial legislation has been passed in recent years — including the Bush tax cuts and much of Obamacare. This has led to minoritarian attempts to reform reconciliation, particularly through the Byrd Rule, as well as constitutional challenges to proposed filibuster reforms. We argue that the success of the various mechanisms of constraining either the filibuster or reconciliation will rest not with interpretation by † Copyright © 2013 Tonja Jacobi and Jeff VanDam. * Professor of Law, Northwestern University School of Law, t-jacobi@ law.northwestern.edu. Our thanks to John McGinnis, Nancy Harper, Adrienne Stone, and participants of the University of Melbourne School of Law’s Centre for Comparative Constitutional Studies speaker series. ** J.D., Northwestern University School of Law (2013), [email protected].
    [Show full text]
  • The Rise of One-Party Rule in the Senate Charles Tiefer University of Baltimore School of Law
    Roger Williams University Law Review Volume 24 | Issue 1 Article 3 Winter 2019 Deliberation's Demise: The Rise of One-Party Rule in the Senate Charles Tiefer University of Baltimore School of Law Kathleen Clark Washington University in St. Louis Follow this and additional works at: https://docs.rwu.edu/rwu_LR Part of the American Politics Commons, and the Legislation Commons Recommended Citation Tiefer, Charles and Clark, Kathleen (2019) "Deliberation's Demise: The Rise of One-Party Rule in the Senate," Roger Williams University Law Review: Vol. 24 : Iss. 1 , Article 3. Available at: https://docs.rwu.edu/rwu_LR/vol24/iss1/3 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the School of Law at DOCS@RWU. It has been accepted for inclusion in Roger Williams University Law Review by an authorized editor of DOCS@RWU. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Deliberation’s Demise: The Rise of One-Party Rule in the Senate Charles Tiefer* and Kathleen Clark** ABSTRACT Much of the recent legal scholarship on the Senate expresses concern about gridlock, which was caused in part by the Senate’s supermajority requirement to pass legislation and confirm presidential nominees. This scholarship exalted the value of procedural changes permitting the majority party to push through legislation and confirmations, and failed to appreciate salutary aspects of the supermajority requirement: that it provided a key structural support for stability and balance in governance. The Senate changed its rules in order to address the problem of partisan gridlock, and now a party with a bare majority is able to force through much of its agenda.
    [Show full text]
  • “D. C. Update”—Hicks-Ray Associates
    WESTCAS 2015 Fall Conference October 28, 2015 Tucson,Arizona Hicks-Ray Associates Focus of Today’s Discussion 1.Current Situation in Congress – the chaos, deadlines & challenges 2.Western Drought Bill – Opportunities for WESTCAS 3.FY16 Appropriations – Riders & western water regulation/funding The information we are about to impart can win you… a bet at a “Nerd Bar,” but it is impossible to discuss legislation or policy without having an overview of the “Big Picture” It wouldn’t This week: be Congress the election of a new Speaker of the House if there were This week: not looming Continuing Resolution to keep Transportation deadlines. Next week: Increasing the Federal Debt Limit December 11: CR for FY16 Appropriations expires One week before Christmas with President Obama pledging not to sign a further CR. Congress faces the following critical deadlines… Nov 1st – Dec 11th – Oct 29th – Debt CR Runs Trans CR Ceiling Out President says he will veto another CR, result: Gov’t shut-down Will we be treated to another Congressional display of chaos? Will we be treated to another Congressional display of chaos? Or will we enter a whole new age in political discourse? It is very likely that Congressman Paul Ryan will be elected Speaker this week. 247 – Number of 186 – Number of Republicans Democrats 433 186 – Number of 247 – Number of Democrats Republicans 433 Technically, all a Member needs is 50% plus 1 of the Caucus or 124 votes, to win the secret ballot. But the actual election of the Speaker takes place in public on the House floor with all Members having a vote.
    [Show full text]
  • Researching Congressional Rules & Procedure
    Researching Congressional Rules & Procedure This is a select list of resources for researching and understanding rules and procedures in the United States Congress. For finding other congressional documents related to rules and procedures (e.g., resolutions adopting or amending rules, Rules Committee reports, points of order documented in Congressional Record), the best online resources are ProQuest Congressional, Congress.gov, FDsys, and HeinOnline. Background and Explanation Walter J. Oleszek, Congressional Procedures and the Policy Process (10th ed. 2016) The best and most well-known book on congressional procedure. Charles Tiefer, Congressional Practice and Procedure: A Reference, Research, and Legislative Guide (1989) While a bit older, this book is a great in-depth examination of procedure. Barbara Sinclair, Unorthodox Lawmaking: New Legislative Processes in the U.S. Congress (4th ed. 2012) Examines how procedure “really” works in Congress (compared to standard textbook descriptions) and how it has changed in recent years. It is well-known and heavily cited. The fifth edition will be published in July 2016. Charles Tiefer, The Polarized Congress: The Post-Traditional Procedure of Its Current Struggles (2016) This new book also examines how procedure has changed in recent years and how those changes have impacted lawmaking in Congress. CQ Guide to Congress (7th ed. 2013) A good, basic guide to Congress that includes several chapters on congressional procedure. Martin M. Gold, Senate Procedure and Practice (3d ed. 2013) Williams Reference, KF4982 .G65 2013 In-depth examination of procedures in the U.S. Senate specifically. Brown, Johnson & Sullivan, House Practice: A Guide to the Rules, Precedents, and Procedures of the House (2011) This guide is prepared by House parliamentarians and organizes the rules, precedents and procedures by topic.
    [Show full text]
  • Filibusters, Cloture, and the “Nuclear Option”: the Current Debate Over Changing Senate Rules for Approving Judicial Nominations
    Filibusters, Cloture, and the “Nuclear Option”: The Current Debate Over Changing Senate Rules for Approving Judicial Nominations March, 2005 Paul E. Stinson Janelle M. Smith Nixon Peabody, LLP © 2005. All Rights Reserved. Filibusters, Cloture, and the “Nuclear Option”: The Current Debate Over Changing Senate Rules for Approving Judicial Nominations March, 2005 © 2005, Nixon Peabody, LLP. All Rights Reserved. Abstract This background research paper examines the possible use of a simple majority vote rule to end filibusters of federal judicial nominees in the United States Senate. Recently, political controversy surrounding filibusters of presidential judicial nominations has prompted some Senators to suggest the use of a Senate procedure for ending filibusters by simple majority vote. Currently, Senate Standing Rule XXII requires a 60-Senator majority for ending debate upon a nomination, and a 67-Senator vote for ending debate on a motion to alter the Senate Rules themselves. This procedure, deemed the “constitutional” option by its supporters and the “nuclear” option by its detractors, is essentially a means for bypassing the Standing Rules through alternate Senate procedures such as rulings from the Chair, motions to table, modifications of Senate precedents, and Standing Orders. The debates over both the use of the filibuster and the use of the nuclear option raise significant questions of constitutional interpretation, the historical record, and the nature of the Senate itself. This paper presents an outline of the major issues surrounding both debates, as well as a description of the option and how it might be implemented. Part I presents a brief introduction. Part II explores the history of the filibuster.
    [Show full text]
  • Senate the Senate Met at 9:30 A.M
    E PL UR UM IB N U U S Congressional Record United States th of America PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES OF THE 109 CONGRESS, FIRST SESSION Vol. 151 WASHINGTON, WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 2005 No. 66 Senate The Senate met at 9:30 a.m. and was U.S. SENATE, EXECUTIVE SESSION called to order by the Honorable SAM PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE, BROWNBACK, a Senator from the State Washington, DC, May 18, 2005. of Kansas. To the Senate: NOMINATION OF PRISCILLA Under the provisions of rule I, paragraph 3, RICHMAN OWEN TO BE UNITED PRAYER of the Standing Rules of the Senate, I hereby STATES CIRCUIT JUDGE FOR appoint the Honorable SAM BROWNBACK, a THE FIFTH CIRCUIT The Chaplain, Dr. Barry C. Black, of- Senator from the State of Kansas, to per- fered the following prayer: form the duties of the Chair. Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I ask Let us pray. TED STEVENS, unanimous consent that the Senate Eternal Spirit, the fountain of light President pro tempore. now proceed to executive session to and wisdom, without Whom nothing is Mr. BROWNBACK thereupon as- consider calendar No. 71, the nomina- holy and nothing prevails, You have sumed the Chair as Acting President tion of Priscilla Owen to be United challenged us to let our lights shine, so pro tempore. States Circuit Judge for the Fifth Cir- that people can see our good works and cuit; provided further that the first glorify Your Name. f hour of debate, from 9:45 to 10:45, be Today, shine the light of Your pres- RESERVATION OF LEADER TIME under the control of the majority lead- ence through our Senators and illu- er or his designee; further that the minate our Nation and world.
    [Show full text]
  • CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 151, Pt. 6 April 27, 2005 JUDICIAL NOMINATIONS Try Accomplish the Goal of Sustaining a That They Must Break with the More Mrs
    7878 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD—SENATE, Vol. 151, Pt. 6 April 27, 2005 JUDICIAL NOMINATIONS try accomplish the goal of sustaining a that they must break with the more Mrs. MURRAY. Mr. President, I come strong democracy and ensuring the than 200 years of tradition and 200 to the floor to talk about the Senate’s participation of all people is very im- years of precedent. We have heard day deliberations on some of the adminis- portant. after day on the floor—even a few mo- tration’s judicial nominees. It is clear Elections are the foundation of our ments ago—that this is the most im- this is a debate about basic American democracy. They determine the direc- portant issue facing this body today. values. In drafting the Constitution, tion of our country. But an election Well, we have record-high gas prices the Framers wanted the Senate to pro- loss does not mean you lose your voice and deficits, we have 45 million unin- vide advice and consent on nominees or you lose your place at the table. sured Americans, and we have far too who came before it to ensure that these That is what we must do to keep our many veterans without the health care very rights and values were protected. democracy strong. That is why we are they need and deserve. All the other I believe, as a Senator, I have a respon- fighting so hard to keep our voice. side is talking about is doing away sibility to stand up for those values on Recently, we have heard a lot from with the checks and balances so they behalf of my constituents in Wash- the other side about attacks on faith can get radicals on the bench.
    [Show full text]
  • Senate Section (PDF929KB)
    E PL UR UM IB N U U S Congressional Record United States th of America PROCEEDINGS AND DEBATES OF THE 109 CONGRESS, FIRST SESSION Vol. 151 WASHINGTON, THURSDAY, MAY 19, 2005 No. 67 Senate The Senate met at 9:30 a.m. and was ceed to executive session for the con- Yesterday, 21 Senators—evenly di- called to order by the President pro sideration of calendar No. 71, which the vided, I believe 11 Republicans and 10 tempore (Mr. STEVENS). clerk will report. Democrats—debated for over 10 hours The legislative clerk read the nomi- on the nomination of Priscilla Owen. PRAYER nation of Priscilla Richman Owen, of We will continue that debate—10 hours The Chaplain, Dr. Barry C. Black, of- Texas, to be United States Circuit yesterday—maybe 20 hours, maybe 30 fered the following prayer: Judge for the Fifth Circuit. hours, and we will take as long as it Let us pray. RECOGNITION OF THE MAJORITY LEADER takes for Senators to express their God of grace and glory, open our eyes The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The views on this qualified nominee. to the power You provide for all of our majority leader is recognized. But at some point that debate should challenges. Give us a glimpse of Your SCHEDULE end and there should be a vote. It ability to do what seems impossible, to Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, today we makes sense: up or down, ‘‘yes’’ or exceed what we can request or imagine. will resume executive session to con- ‘‘no,’’ confirm or reject; and then we Encourage us again with Your promise sider Priscilla Owen to be a U.S.
    [Show full text]