Judicial Nominations

By Richard Land - May 12, 2005 - comment -

The dilemma continues in the U.S. Senate over the confirmation of some of the President’s judicial nominees. The obstructionist tactics that have been employed to prevent a Senate vote on these nominees is unprecedented and cannot be allowed to continue. If this abuse of the filibuster is not stopped, we could end up with a new 60-vote confirmation standard. Yet the Constitution only requires a majority vote to confirm any executive nomination.

One way to end this abuse of the filibuster is to define the Senate’s practices and procedures regarding filibusters. This is known as the “constitutional option.” The Constitution gives the Senate Majority Leader the authority to exercise the constitutional option. In fact Senate Majority Leader Byrd used the constitutional option in 1977, 1979, 1980, and 1987 to change Senate procedures.

As you know, Senator Frist does not want it to come to this. He has even offered an alternative that would allow as much as 100 hours of debate on a judicial nominee before a senate vote. The Senate minority leadership rejected his offer. The issue for the minority leadership is not about more debate time. They are opposed to these nominees and do not want them to serve. Yet all of these nominees are well qualified. The least they deserve is an up or down vote in the Senate.

I know that many of you already contacted your senators about this a couple of weeks ago, but we must press this issue one more time. If you agree that the filibuster of judicial nominees has gone on long enough, I ask you to join with me in contacting your senators right away. Just tell them you want the filibusters to end and that you support the constitutional option.

You can call your senators by dialing the Capitol switchboard at 202/224-3121. Just tell the operator which Senate offices you would like to call, and you will be connected.

I look forward to hearing that you acted so quickly that all the Senate offices were flooded with calls and emails supporting the constitutional option and an end to the filibuster of judicial nominees. May God bless you.

Further Learning

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