Panel OKs court nominee despite 'blue slip'

The Washington Times ^ | 04-02-2001 | Charles Hurt

[freedomcrusader]

The Senate Judiciary Committee yesterday reversed a long-held tradition by moving ahead with the nomination of a California judge to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals over the objections of one of the judge's home-state senators.

Approval by a nominee's home-state senators is normally required before the Judiciary Committee considers a judicial nomination.

[freedomcrusader]

Goos news for those judges from Michigan that were getting a blue slip. If the RATS want to dispense with precendent, then let's roll!

[RicocheT]

Judiciary Committee Chairman Sen. Orrin G. Hatch (Utah-R) has the right idea. The blue slip is a courtesy to the home state of the nominee's senator, not an absolute bar.

The blue slip should only be withheld if the nominee has a character or legal flaw that is not evident through the usual committee questions. The blue slip should be returned if the nominee is qualified and will follow the law and the Constitution.

[ken5050]

FYI, the NYTimes had a big article today about the nominee, but failed to mention the committee vote....it didn't happen apparently...

[Arm_Bears]

Did a search using the term "blue slip" in my electronic version of the Constitution. No matches were found.