The GOP's Twisted Timeline For SCOTUS Nominees
In their latest display of political gamesmanship, Senate Republicans are decrying a 48-day period between Judge Sotomayor's nomination and the commencement of her Judiciary Committee confirmation hearings as too short. Yet 48 days was the exact length of time between Judge Roberts' nomination and the start of his committee hearings. Here are the highlights:
Sen. Sessions
2005:
Even After His State Was Hit By Hurricane Katrina, Sen. Sessions Saw No Need To Delay Roberts' Confirmation. As reported by the New York Times: "Even Senator Jeff Sessions, Republican of Alabama, the only member of the Judiciary Committee representing a hurricane-affected state, said there was no need to postpone." [New York Times, 9/5/05]
2009:
Sen. Sessions Is Now Complaining "We Are Being Rushed." While speaking on the floor of the Senate, Sen. Sessions said: "I am disappointed that we are being rushed to complete this process in a time based on what I know now is not a wise approach. I don't think it is a good way to begin the proceedings." [Sessions Floor Speech, 6/9/09]
Sen. Hatch
2005:
Sen. Hatch Saw No "Reason Why We Couldn't Go Ahead" With Roberts' Confirmation. During an appearance on ABC's This Week, Sen. Orrin Hatch said: "I think we need to proceed with John Roberts and move right ahead . . . I don't see any reason why we couldn't go ahead, even if the president nominates him for Chief Justice." [ABC News, This Week, 9/4/05]
2009:
Sen. Hatch Now Believes In Delaying Judge Sotomayor's Confirmation In The Name Of "Fairness." While speaking on the floor of the Senate, Sen. Orrin Hatch said: "I believe we ought to be fair in this body, and fairness means giving enough time to be able to do the job properly and to get it done within a reasonable period of time and not be pushed in ways that really don't make sense." [Hatch Floor Statement, 6/9/09]
Sen. McConnell
2005:
Sen. McConnell Urged Democrats To Report Roberts "Out Of The Committee Promptly." While speaking on the floor of the Senate, Sen. Mitch McConnell said: "Both Justices Ginsburg and Breyer were reported out of the committee promptly; Republicans did not try to delay the committee vote . . . . As I mentioned, Justice Ginsburg was confirmed 96-3 after two days of debate. Justice Breyer was confirmed 87-9 after only a single day of debate . . . We on this side of the aisle are not asking the Senate to change its practices or standards. We are not asking that this President be treated better than his immediate predecessor. We are asking for equal treatment. In short, Mr. President, we are simply asking that the Senate follow the Ginsburg standard, not a double standard." [McConnell Floor Speech, 7/27/05]
2009:
McConnell Criticized Democrats For Wanting The "Shortest Confirmation Timeline In Recent Memory." While speaking on the floor of the Senate, Sen. Mitch McConnell said: "They want the shortest confirmation timeline in recent memory for someone with the longest judicial record in recent memory. This violates basic standards of fairness, and it prevents senators from carrying out one of their most solemn duties, a thorough review of the President's nominee to a lifetime position on the highest court in the land. The decision to short circuit that process is regrettable and completely unnecessary." [McConnell Floor Statement, 6/10/09]
