
"I do not believe that Judge Alito's nomination should be held up by a filibuster. Absent extraordinary circumstances, nominees to the Supreme Court deserve an up-or-down vote. From Judge Alito's testimony and from all of the information that has come to light during his confirmation hearings, it does not appear that there is any reason to hold up a vote. I hope my colleagues in the Senate will move quickly to bring this process to a dignified end."