mr. watford. they say watford is -- and i quote -- "exactly the kind of individual that any plaintiff or defendant, person, business or government would welcome deciding their case." in short, paul watford is truly both an excellent and distinguished choice for the ninth circuit. he is extremely bright, he is experienced at the trial and appellate level, and in both civil and criminal cases. he is uniquely respected for his intellect and judgment, and he has broad support across the political spectrum and in the business community. maybe this is the reason why cloture was vitiated. he is not filibusterrable. and i really hope that people see the fine and keen intellect that this man is and he should have a very large vote. if confirmed, he would be one of just two african-american active judges on the ninth circuit and the ninth, by far the busiest circuit in the nation, urgently needs him to begin his service. as i said, the ninth is a judicial emergency. this will fill one vacancy. so i urge my c

mr. president, paul watford.he is a highly qualified -- in fact, he has the highest qualifications for the ninth circuit. he shouldn't be filibustered. he shouldn't require cloture. he is a nominee with impeccable legal credentials and qualifications. he served as a federal prosecutor. he is now a highly regarded appellate litigator in private practice. the a.b.a. standing committee on the federal judiciary gave paul watford their highest rating, the highest possible rating they could give, and they gave it to him unanimously. he also has the strong support of his home state senators, senator feinstein and senator boxer. he has widespread support across the spectrum. i think of a couple noted conservatives, including two former presidents of the los angeles chapter of the federalist society, and also judge alex cozinski, a conservative reagan appointee who is now chief judge of the ninth circuit. so by any traditional measure, paul watford is the kind of judicial nominee who should be confirmed easily by an overw

mr. watford's nomination very soon. it is a judicial emergency. so once again i thank the leaders on both sides for agreeing to bring judge nguyen's nomination to the floor and i urge my colleagues to support this nomination. and i hope we will continue to confirm highly qualified nominees for our federal courts, which is especially important to the ninth circuit. i thank the chair and i yield the floor. mr. president, i note the absence of a quorum. the presiding officer: the clerk will call the roll. quorum call: mr. conrad: i ask unanimous consent to terminate the quorum call. the presiding officer: without objection. mr. conrad: and i'd ask for the yeas and nays on the nomination nominations -- just on the first one, the yeas and nays on the first nomination. the presiding officer: is there a sufficient second? there appears to be. the question is on the nomination of -- on the nguyen nomination. the clerk will call the roll. vote: votevote: vote vote: vote: vote: the presiding officer: are there any senators wishing to vote or to change their

monday, there will be at least one roll call vote on the motion to invoke cloture on the watford nomination. mr. president, if ness no further business to come before the senate, i ask that we adjourn under the previous order. the presiding officer: the senate stands adjourned until 2:00 p.m. monday, may 21. sir >> that and dishes of work today in the senate lawmakers began debating reauthorize in the food and an integration user fees and confirm a pair of nominees to the federal reserve. later in the day senate majority leader harry reid came to the floor. -- supreme court justices and the nation's governors. you can get one for $12.95 at c-span.org/shop. >> even though job opportunities are scarce in this economy is not for nothing that you spend this time preparing. jerry falwell observed you don't determine a man's greatness by his talent or wealth as the world does but rather what it takes to discourage him. america needs your talent and skill. >> the index of someone else's construction of the way things ought to be. it is of duke right wrongs. it is up to you to point out injustice. it i