Tell Senators Reid and Leahy to Uphold Commitment to Vote on Judicial Nominees

By Richard Land - Apr 28, 2008 - comment

Our judicial system is feeling the strain of numerous judicial vacancies and a logjam of nominees awaiting votes in the Senate to fill court benches.

Several courts have been declared judicial emergencies, such as the 15-seat Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, which has only five judges serving.

Much of the problem rests on the shoulders of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT), who chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee, which must send judicial nominations to the full Senate for a vote.

Pressured by Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and others to kick the confirmation process into gear, Leader Reid agreed two weeks ago to vote on three circuit court nominees by Memorial Day.

While his commitment is welcome news, it only begins to address the crisis of vacancies on the courts. The American people and our overburdened courts deserve more than a bare minimum pledge. All this pledge does is put the Senate on track with recent historical averages of 15 to 17 circuit court nominees confirmed during the final two years of a presidency when an opposing party has controlled the Senate. Given the many vacancies in the federal judicial system, we need more than an average response by the Senate.

President Bush has carried out his constitutional duty to nominate well-qualified judges who are committed to the original intent of the Constitution. Now Sens. Reid and Leahy must fulfill their part to allow votes to confirm or reject them.

If you agree, please tell Sens. Reid and Leahy to move swiftly on—and go beyond—the commitment to give three circuit court nominees fair, up-or-down votes. You can call them at the numbers below. Or, if you live in Nevada or Vermont, click here to email them a suggested letter or one entirely your own.

Sen. Harry Reid, Majority Leader
(202) 224-5556

Sen. Patrick Leahy, Chairman, Judiciary Committee
(202) 224-4242

Thank you for your concern. Your action could make all the difference.

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