Contact: Mike Russell at 703-683-5004 (ex. 109)
April 21, 2005
Washington - Today the Senate Judiciary Committee voted to approve and send to the Senate floor two of President Bush's most qualified and experienced judicial nominees:
* The Honorable Priscilla R. Owen (United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit)
* The Honorable Janice Rogers Brown (United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia)
The following is a statement by Wendy E. Long, Counsel to Judicial Confirmation Network:
"It is time for Democrats to come out from hiding and give these judges a fair vote on the Senate floor. The President nominated Justice Owen four years ago; Justice Brown was nominated two years ago. For a minority of liberal Senators to kill these nominations silently, by blocking votes and playing the role of partisan obstructionists is contrary to their Constitutional duty, Senate history, and the most basic principle of democracy.
"The nominations of Justice Brown and Justice Owen are particularly inspiring to racial minorities and women. These two women, who now sit, respectively, on the California Supreme Court and the Texas Supreme Court, are regarded as intellectual leaders on the bench. Both are women of extraordinary legal and intellectual ability, personifying American values of dedication and hard work, and both possess a profound respect for our Constitution, the rule of law, the limits of judicial power, and the consent of the governed in our representative democracy.
"Both of these nominees are solidly in the mainstream of American jurisprudence, respectful of our Constitution and their role as neutral umpires applying the law as written. In addition, the nominees have outstanding legal qualifications and are superb examples of hard-working Americans rising to the top of their profession and dedicating their lives to public service.
"The filibuster has never before in the history of our country been used to block outstanding nominees such as these who have the support of a majority of Senators and are among the very top judges selected by the President. If Democrats fail to do their duty and allow a vote on the Senate floor, Majority Leader Frist must clarify the Senate tradition, unbroken since our country's founding, of voting on the President's federal judicial nominees who have majority support. No change to the Senate Rules is necessary, and the separate tradition of the filibuster for legislation will be preserved as it has been since its inception in the 19th century. Senator Frist needs only to ask a majority of Senators to clarify, through a parliamentary point of order, that it is the duty of Senators to vote on judges who have majority support."
The Judicial Confirmation Network is an organization of citizens joined to support the confirmation of highly qualified judges and justices to the federal courts and to the US Supreme Court. In addition, JCN works to ensure that the confirmation process for all judicial nominees is fair and that every nominee sent to the full Senate receives an up or down vote.
To schedule an interview with a spokesperson from the Judicial Confirmation Network, please call Mike Russell 703-683-5004 (ex. 109)
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