Posted on 05/23/2005 5:23:07 PM PDT by kristinn
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING ON JUDICIAL NOMINATIONS
We respect the diligent, conscientious efforts, to date, rendered to the Senate by Majority Leader Frist and Democratic Leader Reid. This memorandum confirms an understanding among the signatories, based upon mutual trust and confidence, related to pending and future judicial nominations in the 109th Congress.
This memorandum is in two parts. Part I relates to the currently pending judicial nominees; Part II relates to subsequent individual nominations to be made by the President and to be acted upon by the Senate’s Judiciary Committee.
We have agreed to the following:
Part I: Commitments on Pending Judicial Nominations
A. Votes for Certain Nominees. We will vote to invoke cloture on the following judicial nominees: Janice Rogers Brown (D.C. Circuit), William Pryor (11th Circuit), and Priscilla Owen (5th Circuit).
B. Status of Other Nominees. Signatories make no commitment to vote for or against cloture on the following judicial nominees: William Myers (9th Circuit) and Henry Saad (6th Circuit).
Part II: Commitments for Future Nominations
A. Future Nominations. Signatories will exercise their responsibilities under the Advice and Consent Clause of the United States Constitution in good faith. Nominees should only be filibustered under extraordinary circumstances, and each signatory must use his or her own discretion and judgment in determining whether such circumstances exist.
B. Rules Changes. In light of the spirit and continuing commitments made in this agreement, we commit to oppose the rules changes in the 109th Congress, which we understand to be any amendment to or interpretation of the Rules of the Senate that would force a vote on a judicial nomination by means other than unanimous consent or Rule XXII.
We believe that, under Article II, Section 2, of the United States Constitution, the word “Advice” speaks to consultation between the Senate and the President with regard to the use of the President’s power to make nominations. We encourage the Executive branch of government to consult with members of the Senate, both Democratic and Republican, prior to submitting a judicial nomination to the Senate for consideration.
Such a return to the early practices of our government may well serve to reduce the rancor that unfortunately accompanies the advice and consent process in the Senate.
We firmly believe this agreement is consistent with the traditions of the United States Senate that we as Senators seek to uphold.
What is it worth?
There WILL be ABSOLUTE HELL FOR THESE SENATORS TO PAY FOR THIS!!!!
No way he gets my vote, for anything, ever.
This is the part I'm concerned about. How long does the 109th Congress last?
What I find interesting is the Dems let through the ones sure to generate the most political heat on them (the women and Pryor).
We've been had by gutless punks.
I'm embarassed to be from Ohio in light of the activities of the idiot Senators DeWhine and Voinovich.
Until the next elections. 2006.
The problem I see is that "extraordinary circumstances" are left to the lefties discretion, and no matter who they block, their compliance with the agreement is not measurable, while that of the Republicans is. Might be OK the other way around, since the Pubbies seem to be so concerned with acting like gentlemen, but this way it's a recipe for disaster, IMHO.
January 3, 2007, IIRC.
Looks like Linsey Graham was very helpfull to McCain in stabbing the rest of the republicans in the back.
They can shove it. I won't contribute any more money to the RNC and I won't be voting in 2006. The repsters suck. It is difficult to believe that this is what they have done with the power we have given them.
Each "Congress" is the two year term of reps, so the 110th will begin when they're seated following the November 2006 elections.
Excuse me guy and girls, but this is a deal worked out by a group of Senators and not the leadership, so before you jump on Frist you need to read what is going on. The Majority Leader does not have to accept this.
The way Reid was gushing on the floor a few minutes ago, he thinks he got the best of the deal.
(Denny Crane: "Sometimes you can only look for answers from God and failing that... and Fox News".)
Frist was never going to get my vote. If there was any minute doubt, it has been removed for ever and for good.
Guy has the backbone of a snail and zero charisma (certainly on on TV).
Frist had nothing to do with this betrayal. It is by 7 traitor RINOs who deserve an early retirement.
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