Senate Halted Over Bush Judicial Nominees

The Washington Times reports:
"Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell made good on his promise of retribution against Democrats for their slow pace in confirming judicial nominees by bringing the Senate to a halt Wednesday. He forced a clerk to read every word of the 491-page global warming bill. The Senate requires unanimous consent to do many of the housekeeping measures, such as bringing up amendments and moving to and from bills. Mr. McConnell, Kentucky Republican, withheld his consent, forcing the stalemate. 'It is important that judicial emergencies are filled with qualified judges, and we will use the various tools at our disposal to ensure that those nominees and the Republican Conference are treated fairly, and that the Majority takes its commitments seriously,' Mr. McConnell said. Eight appellate court nominees have been approved this Congress, which Republicans say is only half the rate it should be. They also say Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada failed to meet his pledge to confirm three appellate nominees by Memorial Day. "

Harry Reid makes promises he won't keep and sees a response in the Senate. The choice lay in the hands of the Democrats. As syndicated radio host Hugh Hewitt points out, they could give President Bush's judicial nominees, especially ones for the Appellate Courts, "the same treatment given to previous administrations, or things were going to start moving very slowly in the Senate." Hewitt further points out that "Senator Boxer, after complaining bitterly to any reporter in the Senate gallery wishing to listen, took to the floor during this process a couple of times, desperately trying to stop the open reading of the bill on which she wants people to discuss and vote. I guess the irony was lost on her." This goes to show that some Republicans take judicial appointments seriously. Hopefully Reid got the message. Feel free to watch the parliamentary tactics being employed by the Republican Senate leadership.

Tweet