[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 42, Number 5 (Monday, February 6, 2006)]
[Page 143]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
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.