[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 5]
[Senate]
[Page 6334]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                          JUDICIAL NOMINATIONS

  Mr. REID. The distinguished majority leader is right, we confirmed 
two Supreme Court Justices. I think they were dignified debates. I 
think the committee did a good job in preparing the Senate for those 
two Supreme Court nominations. We have also approved 29 lower court 
nominations. All nominees have been considered by the full Senate in 
this Congress and have been confirmed. The minority recognizes what 
rights we have. We will continue to recognize what those rights are, 
and certainly we have not abused any of those rights. We don't intend 
to. We will perform our constitutional role.
  I say to the majority leader he is right, Mr. Kavanaugh had a 
hearing, but that was more than 2 years ago. I think one of the things 
that should be considered is whether the Judiciary Committee should 
update that. There have been a lot of things going on dealing with the 
situation in Iraq in which he was involved. That is a subject for 
discussion at a later time.


                      Supplemental Appropriations

  We look forward to the supplemental appropriations bill being 
finished. We have a lot of amendments. At this stage, we have had very 
few quorum calls. I am somewhat disappointed that we have this 
situation before us today. I believe the committee did some very good 
work--the Appropriations Committee--in bringing this matter to the 
floor. I wish we had a vote. I think when it is all over, that is what 
it will wind up being, anyway. I hope Senator Coburn, for whom I have 
the greatest respect, when he sees the first few votes, will get the 
idea how things are moving along and maybe we won't have to have all 
those votes.
  As I understand it, at this time, there are about 30 votes in order 
at this stage. We have to dispose of those. There are people over here 
on this side waiting to offer amendments, none of which are dilatory in 
nature and all of which are dealing with the situation in Iraq, our 
military generally, with veterans. We have amendments that people wish 
to offer dealing with the energy situation we find in America.
  So I hope today we can figure out a way to get through this 
situation. I appreciate very much the majority leader recognizing, as 
he has for the last few weeks, that we have an event over the weekend, 
a retreat in Philadelphia. We understand that.
  The point I am making is that on this side we understand the 
importance of this bill. We wish it had not been part of an emergency 
appropriation in the original budget. We have to play the cards we are 
dealt. We will do everything we can to move this forward in what we 
believe is a dignified manner.
  The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The Senator from Virginia is recognized.
  Mr. WARNER. Mr. President, I ask if I might have the privilege of 
introducing the visiting pastor who gave the morning prayer before the 
Senator from Oklahoma speaks.
  Mr. INHOFE. Mr. President, I have no objection if the majority is 
going to have the first half of the 15 minutes immediately following 
the Senator's introduction.

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