[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 71 (Wednesday, May 25, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5860-S5861]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             MOVING FORWARD

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I am sorry I was unable to be on the floor 
for the entire statement of the Republican leader. I think we should 
just move on. Filibusters are only under extraordinary circumstances. 
That is when you filibuster. I have been involved in two filibusters 
during my career of almost 19 years in the Senate. That is two more 
than most people have been involved in. Filibusters don't happen very 
often. I think we should move beyond this and get the business of the 
country done. Let's not talk about the nuclear option any more. Let the 
Senate work its will. Let's get over this. I have said it is good that 
it is over with, done.
  I wish the distinguished majority leader and I could have worked 
something out on our own. We didn't. It was done by 14 people, 7 
Democrats and 7 Republicans. We have important things to do. There is 
no question that these five people--actually that is what it boiled 
down to--are important, but keep in mind they all had jobs. They were 
all working. It is not as if they were in a bread line someplace. It is 
unfortunate that during the last 12 years there have been problems with 
these judges, and I would say problems we never had before.
  During the Clinton years, we had more than 60 nominees that never 
even got a hearing. We talked yesterday about what happened in the Bush 
years. Let's put that behind us and move on. Let's forget about it and 
have the Senate work its will. If a problem comes up with a judge, 
there will be discussions between the Senator from Tennessee and me. If 
it is necessary, there will be extended debate, and we will talk about 
it. That is not going to happen very often. We know that. So let's just 
go about our business. I had a wonderful conversation with the Attorney 
General of the United States yesterday. He acknowledged, let's move on. 
I said, fine, let's move on. Let's just move on and not talk about this 
any more.
  I have had extended conversations with the distinguished Republican 
leader, and the next matter that the Senate is going to be involved in 
is the Bolton nomination. We are clear on the Democratic side to move 
forward. I think it would be in the best interest of everybody if we 
get this agreement made as quickly as possible and we can move forward. 
That is why I hope my friend from Montana--if somebody comes to the 
floor and we can clear this in the next little bit, that should be 
done. I don't want us being blamed

[[Page S5861]]

for not being able to go forward with the Bolton nomination.
  Mr. FRIST. Mr. President, I appreciate the comment of the Democratic 
leader. We have agreed on the schedule for the week, and it is really 
to get to the Bolton nomination as soon as we possibly can. He is 
talking to Senators on his side, and I have to talk to some on our 
side. We are both eager to get on to the nomination, which we plan to 
do today.
  I appreciate the Democratic leader coming to encourage us along. We 
will work things out here shortly on the plans to proceed to the Bolton 
nomination after the Owen nomination.

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