For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
November 14, 2003
Statement on Judicial Nominations
Statement by the President
November 14, 2003
STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT
Today's partisan action to block up-or-down votes on Justice
Priscilla Owen, Judge Carolyn Kuhl, and Justice Janice Rogers Brown is
inconsistent with the Senate's Constitutional responsibility and is
just plain wrong. Once again, a partisan minority of Senators has
thwarted the will of the majority and stood in the way of voting on
superb judicial nominees.
These obstructionist tactics are shameful, unfair, and have become
all too common. At a time when the American people have important
issues backlogged in the courts, partisan Senators are playing politics
with the judicial process at the expense of timely justice for the
American people.
I commend Senate Republicans, especially Leader Frist, Chairman
Hatch and Senator Santorum, for their leadership and commitment to the
Constitution and basic fairness. During their 40-hour debate, these
Senators have focused on the damaging vacancies that exist on the
federal courts of appeals, the highly qualified individuals I have
nominated to serve, and the Senate's obligation to vote on every
judicial nominee.
No matter who is President or which party controls the Senate, the
American people deserve a well-functioning, independent judiciary and a
commitment by all Senators to live up to their Constitutional
obligation.
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