Reply #32: Byrd's Remarks "A Brief History of the Filibuster" [View All]

[pat_k]

This provides a bit of insight into his attitudes.

http://www.byrd.senate.gov/speeches/2005_may/05_19_2005.html

For example

Senate traditionally has given the president great leeway in choosing his policymaking subordinates, especially those in cabinet and subcabinet positions. The Senate has more or less uniformly followed this practice, as a matter of grace and in the spirit of cooperation, to ensure that the executive branch functions as a team in implementing and enforcing the laws.

What has been the fairly general practice with respect to the appointment of executive branch policymakers, however, has not applied to judicial nominations, and arguments to the contrary are at odds with the separation of powers doctrine, common sense, and history.

More Speeches from Byrd