Then-Sen. Joe Biden took to the Senate floor on May 23, 2005 to decry the use of nuclear option, saying such an action would, "abandon America’s sense of fair play."
"It’s the one thing this country stands for," Biden said. "Not tilting the playing field on the side of those who control and own the field. "
But Biden warned that Republicans would not "own the field" forever:
"And I pray God, when the Democrats take back control, we don’t do the kind of naked power grab that you are doing now."
