    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2006, Book I)]
    [January 30, 2006]
    [Page 145]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Senate Action To Vote on the Nomination of Samuel A. Alito,
    Jr., To Be an Associate Justice of the
    United States Supreme Court
    January 30, 2006

        I am pleased that a strong, bipartisan majority in the Senate
    decisively rejected attempts to obstruct and filibuster an up-or-down
    vote on Judge Sam Alito's nomination. The Senate has a constitutional
    responsibility to hold an up-or-down vote on every judicial nominee, and
    throughout its 216-year history, the Senate has held an up-or-down vote
    on every Supreme Court nominee with majority Senate support. Judge Alito
    is extraordinarily well-qualified to serve on our Nation's highest
    Court, and America is fortunate that this good and humble man is willing
    to serve. I look forward to the Senate voting to confirm Sam Alito as
    the 110th Justice of the Supreme Court.