there's no reason to indulge in needless and unrepublican delay. unreasonable delay. and i say it's an historic nomination, madam president, because it should unite and not divide the american people in the senate. hers is a distinctly american story. whether you're from the south bronx or the south side of chicago or south burlington, vermont, the american dream inspires all of us. her life story is the american dream. and so i might add is the journey of the president who nominated her. she deserves a fair hearing. not trial by attack and assaults about her character. and let us proceed to give her that fair hearing without an unnecessary delay. i have said over my 35 years here in the senate oftentimes on the floor of this great body that we senators should be the conscious of the nation as we were called upon to do. and there have been occasions when this senate, republicans and democrats alike united, have shown they can be the conscious of the nation. i would say this is one time we should rise above partisanship and be that conscious. when i met with judge soto