Senate Proceeding on Jun 2nd, 2009 :: 0:13:40 to 0:19:05
Total video length: 2 hours 21 minutes Stream Tools: Stream Overview | Edit Time

Note: MetaVid video transcripts may contain inaccuracies, help us build a more perfect archive

Views:49 Duration: 0:05:25 Discussion

Previous speech:

Next speech:

0:13:37 to 0:13:58( Edit History Discussion )

Jeff Bingaman: some point let him know whether this i therefore, i object. the presiding officer: objection is heard. mr. bingaman: mr. president, let me briefly describe the circumstances that caused me to request. i'm obviously disappointed that there has been an objection

0:13:40 to 0:19:05( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Jeff Bingaman

0:13:59 to 0:14:19( Edit History Discussion )

Jeff Bingaman: raised to the confirmation of ms. tompkins. i am advised that one or more republican members have placed an nomination. the solicitor of the department of interior, the office to which the president has nominated ms. tompkins, is one of the most impo department of interior, one of the mostmportant legal

0:14:20 to 0:14:40( Edit History Discussion )

Jeff Bingaman: positions in our government. the department of interior has broad authority over the administration's care of our public lands and natural resources. its many offices and bureaus daily face a broad range of legal issues, requiring special expertise in public land law, mining law, and water rights law, in indian law, and in

0:14:41 to 0:15:02( Edit History Discussion )

Jeff Bingaman: wildlife law. the solicitor is the department's general counsel. she's solely responsible for the legal work of the department. by law, all the legal the department is performed under the supervision and direction of the solicitor. she is responsible for the legal

0:15:03 to 0:15:23( Edit History Discussion )

Jeff Bingaman: authorit actions taken under the department of interior's programs and operations. the job requires a deep knowledge of the law professional experience and sound judgment. in my view, the president has nominated such a person, a person with demonstrated ability and stature in this field in the

0:15:24 to 0:15:44( Edit History Discussion )

Jeff Bingaman: person of hilary tompkins. she earned a law degree stanford university's la school in 1996. she served as a trial attorney in the environment and natural department of justice as a special assistant u.s. attorney in brooklyn, as sinosky chambers, one of the nation's leading law firms

0:15:45 to 0:16:05( Edit History Discussion )

Jeff Bingaman: specializing in native american law, and as chief counsel to the governor of new mexico and as chief counsel to governor richardson, demonstrated her ability to lead and manage a oversee the office of general

0:16:06 to 0:16:27( Edit History Discussion )

Jeff Bingaman: counsel of multiple agencies and to render sound legal advice. she will bring to the sol office considerable expertise in the area of environment, natural resources law and indian law as well as experience in constitutional law and legislative process. in addition, ms. tompkins has a compelling personal story.

0:16:28 to 0:16:49( Edit History Discussion )

Jeff Bingaman: she was born in the navajo reservation. although raised in new jerse she has not lost touch with her native navajo heritage. if confirmed, she will be first native american and only the second woman to hold the office of solicitor. it's unclear to me why anyone would object to confirming ms. tompkins. she's clearly well-qualified for the position.

0:16:50 to 0:17:11( Edit History Discussion )

Jeff Bingaman: at her hearing in april and in the weeks since then, senators on the other side of the aisle expressed concerns about departmental policies over which ms. tompkins would have -- has had no control and no responsibility. secretary salazar has bent over backwards to address those concerns. it's my understanding those

0:17:12 to 0:17:32( Edit History Discussion )

Jeff Bingaman: concerns have been addressed. in any event, senators chose place holds on david hays secretary of the interior. the holds on mr. hayes' nomination were lifted before the recess. he and all other department of

0:17:33 to 0:17:53( Edit History Discussion )

Jeff Bingaman: interior nominees have been confirmed and only ms. tompkins' nomination many of the most pressing problems facing the department of interior during its final weeks, the previous administration took a number of controversial actions in its rush to lock in those actions before it left office, the previous administration

0:17:54 to 0:18:15( Edit History Discussion )

Jeff Bingaman: failed to give adequate consideration to various legal requirements. as a result, several of those actions have been overturned in the courts, and secretary salazar has inherited this gacy, is doing his best to address the but he needs a solicitor. more than four months into the new administration, the de

0:18:16 to 0:18:36( Edit History Discussion )

Jeff Bingaman: not still be without its top legal officer. ms. tompkins should not be the victim of anonymous mr. president, on another subject, i was deeply sorry to hear this morning of the death of a longtime s and friend, mr. tass. he is an integral part of the

0:18:37 to 0:18:58( Edit History Discussion )

Jeff Bingaman: senate restaurant staff, has be for many years. he was a great friend to me and to my office. his f cheriakos. he died on sunday from injuries that he received when hit by a

0:18:59 to 0:19:07( Edit History Discussion )

Jeff Bingaman: car in silver spring near his home. all of us who knew appreciated his service to the senate join his family and