[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 7]
[Senate]
[Page 8706]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




        UNANIMOUS CONSENT REQUEST--NOMINATION OF PRISCILLA OWEN

  Mr. BENNETT. Mr. President, as in executive session, I ask unanimous 
consent that there be an additional 6 hours for debate on the Owen 
nomination, provided further that the time be equally divided between 
the chairman and ranking member of the Judiciary Committee, or their 
designees, and that following the conclusion of that time, the Senate 
proceed to a vote on the confirmation of the nomination, with no 
intervening action or debate.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Nevada.
  Mr. REID. Reserving the right to object, we on this side are 
perplexed. We have indicated to the majority leader that there are at 
least three circuit judges who, with just a little bit of work, could 
be approved this week. The average during the Clinton 8 years was eight 
circuit judges a year. If the three were approved, that would be five 
already by Easter.
  One of those is Edward C. Prado of the Fifth Circuit. They could go 
to that tomorrow--tonight. So we believe there is more here than meets 
the eye. There are three circuit judges who are available with just a 
little bit of work. This has all been discussed with the majority 
leader.
  So for these and many other reasons, I object.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objection is heard.
  Mr. BENNETT. Mr. President, I modify the request to 10 additional 
hours.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
  Mr. REID. Yes. Mr. President, reserving the right to object, we have 
approved, during the time President Bush has been President, 116 
judges. Two have been turned down--116 to 2. One of those who was 
turned down is back. Owen is back. This would be the first time in the 
history of this country that a judge who has been turned down is back 
and would be approved.
  The hours that have been suggested by my friend from Utah I 
appreciate very much, but there are productive things that could be 
done during those 10 hours, including the approval of more judges. 
There could be at the end of this week 120 judges instead of 116.
  I object.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Objection is heard.
  Mr. BENNETT. Mr. President, I ask if any number of hours would be 
sufficient for the Senator from Nevada.
  Mr. REID. Speaking for the Senator from Nevada, there is not a number 
in the universe that would be sufficient.

                          ____________________