Let us remember that the measure of a democratic society is not how it treats its best, but its worst.

The 94-3 Senate vote confirming John Kerry as our new Secretary of State is, in that regard, a remarkably unifying, indeed affirming, action as I see it. Not a thing to do with gender, race, God, age or political party: simply the most qualified American for the job.

Of course, the Senate is not intended to be a rubber stamp. But stalling nomination votes simply to keep laws from being enforced -- effectively repealing the laws that cannot be enforced without the nominees in place -- is utterly inconsistent with the Senate's proper confirmation role.

Presidential appointments, from cabinet secretaries to department heads to judges, should not require the "advice and consent" of the increasingly partisan and obstructionist Senate.

Aside from the political points Republican senators might score with their constituents by vocalizing disagreement with President Obama and obstructing his agenda, what do they hope to accomplish?

Susan Rice will continue to be a handy and cynical whipping person for the GOP to hector Obama. But the political reality is that the legislative business that Congress and the White House must do never has been shut down by any political squabble over a presidential appointee.

Mitch McConnell's strategy has been simply to stall and sabotage as many of Obama's initiatives as possible, regardless of the consequences. Last week's judicial nominations decree signals his intention to continue that strategy to the bitter end.

WASHINGTON -- Time's up for the head of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, who announced Thursday he is stepping down at the end of the year when...

Just like we experienced with Elizabeth Warren, whose potential nomination as CFPB director was derailed by the same band of robber barons, Mr. Cordray is the newest roadkill on the conservative superhighway, and the American people have been hosed yet again.

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama's Medicare nominee Tuesday got unexpected support from one of Congress' Republican stars. House Majority Lea...

WASHINGTON -- The Senate voted overwhelmingly Thursday to confirm Gen. David Petraeus to be the nation's CIA director. The vote was 94-0....

WASHINGTON — The Senate is taking the rare step of curbing its own power. A measure approved 79-20 Wednesday and sent to the House would cross ...

Holding rank-and-file judicial nominees hostage to advance a larger political agenda is the current political "nuclear option" and, if this continues, it is the judiciary and Americans seeking justice who will bear the fallout.

The opponents of a rule that allows lawmakers to anonymously delay Senate confirmation proceedings have garnered enough support to overturn the rule. ...

WASHINGTON — Senate Republicans fiercely criticized President Barack Obama's choice for a seat on a San Francisco-based federal appellate court ...

Our nation's challenges grow more daunting daily. Meanwhile, over two hundred top federal posts remain vacant. Obama should audaciously use his recess appointment authority at every opportunity.

Let Kagan be Kagan, whatever she may be or not. Let's respect her privacy. We have plenty of other matters to attend to as we focus on the real challenges facing our country.

While most on Capitol Hill are admitting that Solicitor General Elena Kagen will likely be confirmed, both sides are still gearing up for a new round in the culture wars.

This summer it's Elena Kagan up for the attempted dissection.

One year into Obama's term, about 200 of the roughly 500 top Senate-confirmed administration positions are still unfilled. We've seen this play before.

If passing health-care reform was the Senate's Christmas present to President Obama, then the confirmation of more than 30 of his nominees might as we...

The FMCSA head should not come from the very industry the agency is required to regulate, especially given the trucking industry's obstructionist positions on commonsense health and safety issues.

Perhaps DeMint is correct when he says that Senators need to think a little bit longer before they decide whether to confirm Errol Southers as the best person to head the TSA.

Empathy is to be embraced, not condemned. Experience informs, but does not dictate, the outcome.