Press Release

November 21, 2013
Cardin Calls Rules Change A Necessary Step To Fulfilling The Senate’s Constitutional Responsibilities

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.) released the following statement following votes in the Senate regarding cloture votes on nominations:

 

“The Senate is supposed to be the world’s greatest deliberative body.  We are supposed to be able to debate issues but then come together to find a compromise that moves our country forward. The Senate is broken. Our rules of consensus and comity have been abused.  Respecting the Senate’s Constitutional duty of Advise and Consent with respect to the President’s nominees doesn’t mean automatic confirmation, but it does mean that we should respect the process, the presidency, and these individuals enough to routinely give them an up-or-down vote.

 

“I have been in the Congress sufficient years to have served in the majority and the minority. I understand the consequences of changing the rules, but what we are doing is returning to where the Senate can actually fulfill its Constitutional responsibilities.”

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