Senate Proceeding 09-09-09 on Sep 9th, 2009 :: 0:37:10 to 0:44:35
Total video length: 2 hours 42 minutes Stream Tools: Stream Overview | Edit Time

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

Views:17 Duration: 0:07:25 Discussion

Previous speech:

Next speech:

0:37:07 to 0:37:28( Edit History Discussion )

Joseph Lieberman: he has the intellectua intelligent a intellect and the ability and the support to get this done and i'm proud to support his nomination. thank you very much,

0:37:10 to 0:44:35( Edit History Discussion )
Speech By: Joseph Lieberman

0:37:29 to 0:37:49( Edit History Discussion )

Joseph Lieberman: and i yield the floor. mr. lieberman: mr. president? the presiding officer: the senator from cneicut. mr. lieberman: well, first let me thank senator klobuchar for those very thoughtful and i thought compelling words in support professor sunstein's nomination. they were both thoughtful and personal and that matters a lot, so i thank her for taking the time to come over and speak on this important nomination.

0:37:50 to 0:38:10( Edit History Discussion )

Joseph Lieberman: mr. president, i thought it might be helpful if i just read from a few of the endorsement of professor sunstein, because this is one of those nominations that i think has become controversial there's a rule that i always try to apply. i think i've done it pretty well

0:38:11 to 0:38:33( Edit History Discussion )

Joseph Lieberman: over the years. that is, in applying it unifor uniformly, which is when, as a senator, we exercise our authority to advise and consent, the judgment for us to make is not whether we would have nominated that person to that office but whether, on due consideration, we conclude that

0:38:34 to 0:38:54( Edit History Discussion )

Joseph Lieberman: that nominee is within an acceptable range and capable of fulfilling that job. situation. so one might agree or disagre disagree -- let's put it that way -- with professor sunstein or one or another thing he's written and a remarkably productive, proceed clais prolific career.

0:38:55 to 0:39:15( Edit History Discussion )

Joseph Lieberman: but viewed to decide that he's unqualified for this position. not wouldn't be your first choice, but he seems to be unqualified or there's such a level of risk to him filng it even if you thought he was qualified, that you'd vote against him. i want to try to reassure my colleagues. i mentioned the american farm bureau federation, because there

0:39:16 to 0:39:36( Edit History Discussion )

Joseph Lieberman: had been some concern in the agriculture community. i read from a letter from bowl stohlman -- bob stohlman, the president of the american farm bureau. and i quote -- "we were concerned about reports related to mr. sunstein's views on animal rights and the impact that could occur should such views be reflected in federal regulations. we have, however, had

0:39:37 to 0:39:59( Edit History Discussion )

Joseph Lieberman: opportunity to discuss this subject in person with mr. sunstein. he's been candid, forthright and very open about how he views his role in oira. he has shared her perspective on the issues in question and stressed that he would not use his position to undermi federal law or further policies

0:40:00 to 0:40:22( Edit History Discussion )

Joseph Lieberman: inconsistent with congressional directives. directives." and then as i quoted in my opening, "we hope the senate can take up this nomination in the near future and that all senators will vote to confirm him for this post." second, very different association and an important one in our country, the chamber of commerce of the united states of america.

0:40:23 to 0:40:44( Edit History Discussion )

Joseph Lieberman: a letter from our bruce jostin. and the first paragraph says, "the chamber is the world's largest business federation representing more than businesses and organizations." and he says about the nominee -- and i of an impressive career as legal academic, professor sunstein has made important

0:40:45 to 0:41:05( Edit History Discussion )

Joseph Lieberman: contributions in such diverse areas as environmental law, behavioral economics, and consumer safety. through his work, he has improved our understanding of the law and public policy in a continuing effort to improve the ability of government to beneficially impact the lives of its citizens.

0:41:06 to 0:41:28( Edit History Discussion )

Joseph Lieberman: as oira administrator, professor sunstein is almost certain to apply a thoughtful approach to regulatory oversight and review. his extensive writings and teachings provide a useful blueprint of his pragmatic approach to regulation, including of cost-benefit analysis as a

0:41:29 to 0:41:50( Edit History Discussion )

Joseph Lieberman: tool for developing rational regulation. his approach is not influenced by an ideological predisposition. i rept from bruce jostin, executive v.p. of the chamber of commerce. his approach is not influenced by an ideological predisposition. to the contrary, his writings

0:41:51 to 0:42:12( Edit History Discussion )

Joseph Lieberman: show a strong commitment to a balanced review that is bies neither in favor nor against regulaon. by all accounts, professor sunshine is a man of personal integrity and formidable intellectual prowess and the chamber applauds his willingness to suspend an exceptional academic career in order to

0:42:13 to 0:42:33( Edit History Discussion )

Joseph Lieberman: serve his country. and mr. jostin concludes by saying t the senate to expeditiously confirm cass sunstein as administrator i need not tell my colleagues in the senate, the chamber of commerce is obvious ail pro-business group. and if they felt that cass

0:42:34 to 0:42:54( Edit History Discussion )

Joseph Lieberman: sunstein as oira administrator would harm business entrepreneurship, economic growth, the free market here in our country, they would -- they would say so loud and car. but they did not say so. they did not just remain silent. thehamber of commerce of the united states says that cass sunstein is qualified by his

0:42:55 to 0:43:17( Edit History Discussion )

Joseph Lieberman: writings, he's despair they urge us to confirm this a similar letter from the national association of manufacturers, mr. president. rosario palmeria, vice president of n.a.m., writing 20 senator collins and me.

0:43:18 to 0:43:38( Edit History Discussion )

Joseph Lieberman: support for the confirmation of cass sunstein to be administrator of oira in the office o the n.a.m., national association of manufacturers, has supported people in knees to oira under both republican and democratic presidents. it is office plays a crucial role in agency prioritization,

0:43:39 to 0:43:59( Edit History Discussion )

Joseph Lieberman: paperwork reduction and regulatory review. in particular he is deserving of confirmation because of his keen intellect, expertise in the fields -- i thank the chair. the bottom line is that professor sunstein is supported by many groups including those

0:44:00 to 0:44:20( Edit History Discussion )

Joseph Lieberman: who some might you think would have opposed him. i hope my colleagues will support this nomination and the vote to come o i thank the chair and i yield the floor. the presiding officer: under the previous order, the senate

0:44:21 to 0:44:45( Edit History Discussion )

Joseph Lieberman: resumes legislave session. all pending amendments except the dorgan a are withdrawn; the question is