[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 4]
[Senate]
[Page 5692]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                         CONFIRMATION OF JUDGES

  Mr. REID. Finally, on the judges, I appreciate the Judiciary 
Committee reporting out these judges. In a Presidential election year, 
it is always very tough for judges. That is the way it has been for a 
long time, and that is why we have the Thurmond rule and other such 
rules. But I have indicated to the Republican leader that we are going 
to try to move these nominations along. We are trying to keep up with 
the average that has gone on in years past without a lot of political 
bickering.
  We have the finest judicial system in the world. We need to make sure 
we keep it that way. One of the things we are looking to do--and, 
hopefully, we may even be able to do it on the supplemental 
appropriations bill; and one way or the other, the President indicated 
yesterday there will be some things he wants to put on it other than 
the direct funding--whether we can do it at that time or later in the 
year, we need to do something about increasing judges' pay, and I hope 
we can do that.
  Thank you, Mr. President.

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