WASHINGTON (Thursday, Jan. 12) -- Below are comments of Senator Patrick Leahy from the hearing Thursday on the Supreme Court nomination of Samuel A. Alito to be an Associate Justice.  Leahy, the ranking Democratic member of the panel, protested the unprecedented move of calling sitting judges as character witnesses.  The panel, which included both current and retired judges, was invited to testify on behalf of Judge Alito by the Republican-controlled Committee.  

“Mr. Chairman, I realize we have some retired and very distinguished retired judges with us today, but also some current judges.  Insofar as the current judges, their cases are appealed to the Supreme Court, and if Judge Alito becomes a member of the Supreme Court he’ll have to rule on their appeals -- appeals from their decisions.  And so I think rather than create a difficultly for them, or for Judge Alito, if he is confirmed, I think I will not avail myself of a chance to ask questions of this unprecedented panel.”

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