Dem Filibuster Flip-Flop #4

SENATOR RICHARD DURBIN

Then:

"I think that responsibility requires us to act in a timely fashion on nominees sent before us. The reason I oppose cloture is I would like to see that the Senate shall also be held to the responsibility of acting in a timely fashion. If, after 150 days languishing in a committee there is no report on an individual, the name should come to the floor. If, after 150 days languishing on the Executive Calendar that name has not been called for a vote, it should be. Vote the person up or down. They are qualified or they are not. But to impose all of the burden on the executive branch and to step away from our responsibility I don't think is fair." – Senator Durbin, Congressional Record, 28 September 1998

Now:

"Sen. Richard J. Durbin, Illinois Democrat and member of the Judiciary Committee, said Democrats will use the filibuster selectively. 'We have to pick and choose our fights in order to keep our unity and make our point,' he said." – Amy Fagan and Stephen Dinan, "GOP To 'Load' Senate With Votes On Judges," The Washington Times, 11 March 2003

Source: Bruce Hausknecht