[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 147 (Wednesday, September 5, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6035-S6036]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           WORK OF THE SENATE

  Mr. McCONNELL. Madam President, on another matter, the Senate 
continues work on a number of important priorities. This morning, I 
joined a number of our colleagues in the first conference committee 
meeting for the farm bill, including the occupant of the Chair. Others 
of our colleagues are continuing to confer with the House on 
appropriations bills so we can stay on track with respect to funding 
the government.
  On the floor this week, we will continue attending to personnel 
business. We voted yesterday to advance the nomination of Elad Roisman 
to serve on the Securities and Exchange Commission. After we confirm 
him, we will

[[Page S6036]]

turn to eight more qualified district court nominees.
  Of course, the Nation turned its attention yesterday to the start of 
Brett Kavanaugh's confirmation hearings to serve as Associate Justice 
of the Supreme Court. Those who tuned in heard about a well-respected 
judge and well-respected professor with flawless judicial temperament 
and integrity, someone who makes those around him better. They heard 
these accounts from a former U.S. Secretary of State, a sitting U.S. 
Senator, and a prominent liberal litigator with extensive experience 
before the Supreme Court. From Judge Kavanaugh himself, they heard 
about his guiding principles--among them, ``Interpret the Constitution 
as written, informed by history and tradition and precedent.''
  In sum, the American people saw the impressive, talented, measured 
jurist they have heard so much about. Unfortunately, the country also 
saw disappointing displays of attempted partisan obstruction. The rude, 
disrespectful, and boorish behavior we saw yesterday in the Judiciary 
Committee was the confirmation hearing equivalent of an ``abolish ICE'' 
protest--the confirmation hearing equivalent of an ``abolish ICE'' 
protest right here in the Senate Judiciary Committee room.
  Well, I guess we shouldn't be too surprised. The antics confirmed two 
things that our Democratic colleagues have told us before: Their minds 
are already made up--they have already made up their minds about the 
Kavanaugh nomination--and they will try anything to stop it.
  Democrats interrupted Chairman Grassley literally scores of times. 
They treated the nominee rudely, even insulting the patriotism of this 
devoted public servant and highly esteemed judge. They offered one 
stale process complaint after another--completely ignoring the fact 
that more documentation has been produced for Judge Kavanaugh's 
nomination than for the last five Supreme Court nominations combined.
  I guess our Democratic friends' coordinated plan was to throw a pot 
of spaghetti at the wall and see if anything stuck. Nothing stuck. 
Nothing stuck except the complete contrast between a gracious, 
thoughtful, patient nominee and the hyperventilating by Senate 
Democrats who are obviously not interested in giving Judge Kavanaugh 
the fair consideration he deserves.
  Half a million pages of documents, 12 years of opinions, the 
testimony of peers and colleagues from across the political spectrum--
any Member who is actually willing to give Judge Kavanaugh fair 
consideration has every tool they already need to do so.
  I implore my friends across the aisle, let's put the partisan 
theatrics behind us--it is rather embarrassing to see that in the 
Senate--and continue these hearings with the dignity befitting the 
serious task before us.

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