Thursday, September 13, 2007

Senator Kyl Suited Up   [Kate O'Beirne]

Unsurprisingly. . .

WASHINGTON – Senate Republican Conference Chairman Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.) today released the following statement regarding recent attacks on potential attorney general nominees:

“The president, not Senate Democrats, has the right to nominate the next attorney general.  The persons who appear to be under consideration have stellar reputations and have distinguished themselves while serving in the Justice Department or the judiciary.  They deserve our respect.  

“The president’s nominee deserves a fair hearing and a prompt up-or-down vote on the merits.  Past attorney general nominees have generally been confirmed within three weeks.  The same benchmark should apply here.

“Democrats seem determined to prejudge plainly qualified potential nominees and block them without even granting a fair hearing.  That is wrong, and it is reckless.  It is especially ironic that Democrats complained for so long about a supposed lack of leadership in the Justice Department but are now threatening to block confirmation of qualified nominees.  It’s time for Senate Democrats to stop playing politics with the rule of law.” 

09/13 05:56 PMShare