For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
March 13, 2003
President Calls on Senate to End Judicial Nomination Delays
Statement by the President
Policy in Focus: Judicial Nominations
Today, 42 Senate Democrats have decided to continue their filibuster to
block a vote on the nomination of Miguel Estrada. The Senate has a
Constitutional responsibility to hold an up or down vote on all
judicial nominees within a reasonable time, but some Senate Democrats
have abandoned that responsibility in favor of partisan obstructionist
tactics.
The judicial confirmation process is broken and the
consequences for the American people are real. Because of the Senate's
failure to hold timely votes, the number of judicial vacancies has
become unacceptably high.
When the Federal Courts are understaffed,
they cannot act in a timely manner to resolve disputes that affect the
lives and liberties of all Americans.
In order to protect the rights of Americans and the sanctity of the
Constitution, this obstruction must end. Miguel Estrada was nominated
nearly two years ago, yet he still has not received a fair vote.
I call on the Senate to end the delays, stop holding Miguel Estrada to a
double standard, and live up to its responsibility to hold an up or
down vote on this highly qualified nominee. As I said before, let each
Senator vote as he or she thinks best, but give the man a vote.
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