Senate Democrats Block Vote on Owen Nomination

NY Times/Reuters ^ | 4-9-03 | staff

[paul in cape]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Senate Democrats refused on Tuesday to clear the way for a confirmation vote on President Bush's nomination of Priscilla Owen, a conservative Texas Supreme Court justice, to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans.

The Senate began considering the nomination on Monday, and Republicans asked Democrats on Tuesday to agree to six or 10 more hours of debate before holding a vote. WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Senate Democrats refused on Tuesday to clear the way for a confirmation vote on President Bush's nomination of Priscilla Owen, a conservative Texas Supreme Court justice, to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans.

The Senate began considering the nomination on Monday, and Republicans asked Democrats on Tuesday to agree to six or 10 more hours of debate before holding a vote.

After Democrats objected to both offers, Sen. Robert Bennett, a Utah Republican, asked ``if any number of additional hours would be sufficient.''

``There is not a number in the universe that would be sufficient,'' replied Senate Democratic Whip Harry Reid of Nevada.

To force a vote, Republicans, who control the Senate with 51 of the chamber's 100 members, would need the support of 60 senators.

It was unclear on Tuesday if Republicans could muster such support. Regardless, they said they were not ready to try.

Democrats are already blocking another conservative judicial nominee, Miguel Estrada, nominated by Bush for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.

Republicans contend Owen and Estrada are highly qualified and deserve to be confirmed. Critics contend they are part of the president's effort to pack the courts with right-wing ideologues and should be stopped.

Owen and Estrada both failed to be confirmed by the then- Democratic-led Senate last year. Bush renominated them after Republicans took back control of the chamber in January.

Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle of South Dakota declined to say on Tuesday if he and fellow Democrats planned to mount a procedural hurdle known as a filibuster against Owen, like the one blocking Estrada.

Daschle said Democrats needed an unspecified amount of time to make their case against Owen. ``There are very, very deep concerns,'' Daschle told reporters.

[paul in cape]

Come On, Mr Cheney, drop the BIG ONE! (filibuster for judicial nominees unconstitutional.)

[Support Free Republic]

I am a monthly poster. Are you?

[Howlin]

The public is NOT going to be in the mood for this crap when this war is done.

And Bush's poll numbers will be somewhere near the moon.

[TLBSHOW]

so here we go........

[TLBSHOW]

ping

[anniegetyourgun]

Again they hide behind cloture votes. If they don't like her, why not just hold a real vote and vote NO. I dare them.

[TheBattman]

Here we go again....

I am so ticked that the Republicans are LETTING this happen again.

[Cboldt]

Here we go "again." Having more than one qualified candidate in the air, at the same time, is going to really hurt the DEMs, IMO. The big enchilada here is a change in rules, and GWB will get it. It takes a bit more pressure to get the bigger prize.

I promise to ignore the 24/7 crowd.

[Republican Wildcat]

Another filibuster?!!

[Howlin]

Me, too.

[TLBSHOW]

the rat plan is to do this to everyone of them.

[Howlin]

We have the votes to get her in.

Let them do this; if they aren't finished now, they will be shortly, after they do this again.

[TLBSHOW]

Is it now time for forcing the democrats to a 24 7 filibuster on Estrada or should we sit back like wimps and get walked on by the democrats who lost the 2002 election?

[deport]

so here we go..........

---

But you said ....."and liberals are so finished in America along with the rat commie democrats"

Did you tell a lie? If not what is it since you said they are finished...... LOL...... Yep some gifts you have......

[livius]

I'm a monthly donor. More people should be...It's painless and easy, Paypal just takes the ol' widow's mite right out of my checking account.

[mombonn]

I HATE these guys, unequivocally. May they be removed from the sinate at the earliest opportunity.

[livius]

Somebody should do something about this. Is it possible to claim that a Senate procedural rule (committee rules) is subverting the intention and words of the Constitution? It sure seems that way to me.

[TLBSHOW]

if Frist would take the gloves off and do what is needed. You would see the end results!

[deport]

You would see the end results! --------------- The end results according to you is ... "and liberals are so finished in America along with the rat commie democrats" Lies again by the one and only gifter...... lol.

[TLBSHOW]

and liberals are so finished in America along with the rat commie democrats......


Some of us think and say Positive things around here. Unlike you and your gang of clueless ones! LOL