For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
October 30, 2003
Statement on Nomination of Judge Charles Pickering
Statement by the President
October 30, 2003
Today, a minority of Senators once again blocked an outstanding
judicial nominee from receiving an up-or-down vote in the United States
Senate. The nomination of Judge Charles Pickering has been languishing
in the Senate for over two years. He is a good, fair-minded man, and
the treatment he has received by a handful of Senators is a disgrace.
Judge Pickering was previously confirmed by the Senate and has led a
distinguished career, including as a Federal district court judge for
over a decade. He has wide bipartisan support from those who know him
best.
More than one-third of my nominees for the courts of appeals are
still awaiting a vote. The continued obstruction by a willful minority
of the Senate is bad for our country, harmful for the provision of
justice for all Americans, and damaging to the smooth functioning of
our judicial system. It hurts America and it is wrong.
One year ago today, I proposed a commonsense plan to return
fairness and dignity to the judicial confirmation process. This plan,
which would apply no matter who is President or which party controls
the Senate, included specific proposals to fix the underlying problems
that have long undermined the confirmation process. One year later,
certain Senators are continuing their obstructionist tactics and are
continuing to filibuster fine men and women who would make outstanding
appeals court judges.
I again urge the Senate to put aside partisan politics and work to
find a solution that will repair the process and ensure that all
judicial nominees are treated fairly and that all Americans experience
timely justice in our federal courts. As I have said before, let each
Senator vote how he or she thinks best, but give the nominees a vote.
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