Posted on 04/08/2005 10:40:13 AM PDT by cotton1706
WASHINGTON — Eight Senate Judiciary Committee Republicans attended Thursday's session to vote on the appeals court nomination of Thomas Griffith to the D.C. Circuit. No committee Democrats showed up.
Without a quorum, committee chairman Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., canceled the proceedings. The committee needed 10 senators to vote on Griffith, who faced the panel in March for his nomination hearing.
"Out of deference to our colleagues who are absent here today, we will not take the time of so many other senators here who have so many other pressing items and we will terminate our session here today," Specter said in the opening minutes of the hearing.
Four of the eight missing Democrats, including Sens. Patrick Leahy of Vermont and Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts, are part of the congressional delegation attending the funeral of Pope John Paul II. The other four committee Democrats could have attended the session but did not. Action on the nominee was delayed until next week.
"There's important business of this committee to be conducted and for those who aren't in Rome, they could have been here," said Sen. Jon Kyl, R-Ariz.
Aides said Senate Democrats were not going to conduct their first debate and vote on a judicial nominee with their most senior committee members in Rome. Leahy is the ranking Democrat on the panel.
"The liberal, left-leaning interest groups that are right now calling the shots as far as the Senate leadership is concerned will not allow it. They do not want to vote up or down on these nominees," said Zell Miller.
"We're defending the checks and balances. We're not letting people change rules in the middle of the game. So, I think we're in for the long haul on this," said Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
Where are the other Republicans?? There are ten Republicans on this committee. Are one or two of them in Rome?
Check out the picture. Looks like old Arlen has stopped trying to look young.
Interesting to see how the D's are obstructing on virtually every level in recent weeks - judiciary, EPA, FDA, U.N. appointees, and so much more. They seem to be in full-court press right now.
What's next for the Dems? Throwing pies? I wouldn't put it past them.
No more middle of road for Republicans any more. No More excuses. They are the majority party, they either stand up and stop this BS or cower.
(My money is on the latter).
I believe the board rules prevent me from call Chuck Schumer a filthy, blood-sucking douchebag. So I won't.
If they botch this, it won't be forgotten. Grow a spine, Frist!
Probably leave for Oklahoma.
That's what they did here in Texas!
(N.B.: That didn't work either.)
I agree with you. Republicans are wusses.
Might be time for Tom DeLay to pay the Senate a visit, show Frist how to, how shall I put this? grow a set!
Sort of like conservative voters are going to sit out the next election if these type of judges aren't confirmed?
Do RATS really care about the wasted time and money they cause? Apparently not...
Panel Dems Sit Out Vote on Bush Nominee
Sort of like conservative voters are going to sit out the next election if these type of judges aren't confirmed?
Which means they never will get confirmed!
I've got my doubts about the senate judiciary pubbies given that jellyfish turncoat Specter is chair. I also would like to know where the other two pubby senators are? I read where one was ill but what about the other?
If losing in an election cycle results in the Republicans getting the message that they must do the will of the people or results in more conservative Republican candidates and potential Senators, then losing would be beneficial to the conservative movement.
We don't need more Republicans in the Senate. We need more conservatives.
Well, Frist did say that he might possibly, under the right circumstances, if the planets are in perfect alignment, Hillary is in a good mood, and Helen Thomas wins the Miss USA contest, he will use the nuclear option.
The problem is with the East Coast Republicans...there you only have 2 choices, a RINO or a RAT. A conservative will not win in states like NY or NJ. Remember, though they don't always vote with the R's they are a part of the number that makes up a majority.
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