I want to briefly rebut the false claim that I had broken the rules when I was chairman of the committee.
I followed the rules.
I never asked to suspend the rules.
I let everyone speak who wanted to.
I allowed members to offer resolutions during a confirmation process, which I could have ruled out of order.
Democrats were even allowed to offer resolutions during Kavanaugh’s markup.
Members had ample time to discuss what they wanted.
In fact, to the concern of my Republican colleagues who begged me to gavel down a Democrat filibuster, I decided it would take longer to get Democrats to shut up so I just let them talk and talk during the Kavanaugh proceeding.
And, it is not true that the Democrats never two-hour-ruled the Judiciary Committee.
For example, the Democrats two-hour-ruled the Judiciary Committee during the Kavanaugh, Coney Barrett and Sessions confirmation processes.
Democrats also two-hour-ruled a 2017 oversight hearing on the Foreign Agents Registration Act and attempts to influence U.S. elections.
I have always respected and abided by the two-hour rule. I adjourned in a timely manner and didn’t attempt to ram through additional business.
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