Frist commits to invoking nuclear option, probably next week

Frist's office | May 13, 2005 | Office of Bill Frist, Majority Leader of the Senate

[seamus]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE     

                                          

STATEMENT FROM THE OFFICE OF THE

SENATE MAJORITY LEADER  

     

      

Upon completion of action on the pending highway bill, the Senate will begin debate on fair up or down votes on judicial nominations.  As is the regular order, the Leader will move to act on judge nominations sent to the full Senate by the Judiciary Committee in the past several weeks.  Priscilla Owen, to serve as a judge for the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, and Janice Rogers Brown, to serve as a judge for the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, will be the nominees of focus.  

      

The Majority Leader will continue to discuss an appropriate resolution of the need for fair up or down votes with the Minority Leader.  If they can not find a way for the Senate to decide on fair up or down votes on judicial nominations, the Majority Leader will seek a ruling from the Presiding Officer regarding the appropriate length of time for debate on such nominees.  After the ruling, he will ensure that every Senator has the opportunity to decide whether to restore the 214-year practice of fair up or down votes on judicial nominees; or, to enshrine a new veto by filibuster that both denies all Senators the opportunity to advise and consent and fundamentally disturbs the separation of powers between the branches.

  

    

There will be a full and vigorous Senate floor debate that is too important for parliamentary tactics to speed it up or slow it down until all members who wish have had their say. All members are encouraged to ensure that rhetoric in this debate follows the rules, and best traditions, of the Senate.  

      

It is time for 100 Senators to decide the issue of fair up or down votes for judicial nominees after over two years of unprecedented obstructionism.  The Minority has made public threats that much of the Senate’s work will be shut down.  Such threats are unfortunate.

  

    

The Majority Leader has proposed his Fairness Rule: up to 100 hours of debate, and then an up or down vote on circuit and Supreme Court nominations.  Further, the Fairness Rule would eliminate the opportunity for blockade of such nominees at the Judiciary Committee.  And finally, it will make no changes to the legislative filibuster.  

  

    

            If Senators believe a nominee is qualified, they should have the opportunity to vote for her.  If they believe she is unqualified, they should have the opportunity to vote against her.

  

    

Members must decide if their legacy to the Senate is to eliminate the filibuster’s barrier to the Constitutional responsibility of all Senators to advise and consent with fair, up or down votes.

 

  

    

 

 

-30-

[seamus]

Looks like he's finally had enough. The highway bill is expected to be finished on the floor Tuesday or Wednesday. That means its go time after that.

[Puppage]

Well, well,well. Look what they FINALLY found:

[Principled]

i'll believe it when i see it

[Michael Barnes]

Same here....Have been hearing "next week" for weeks now..

[Semper Paratus]

I will toast Frist after the vote.

[trisham]

It's about time.

[IrishGOP]

i'll believe it when i see it

I second that. Frist and Co. have "had it" for 4 1/2 years and counting . . . .

[justshutupandtakeit]

You likely won't even believe it then.

[GiveEmDubya]

Don't go wobbly on us. DO IT, BILL.

[Principled]

Of course I will. Are you saying it's not reasonable to doubt?

[hattend]

Next week and next week and next week and next week.

Either poop or get off the pot, Frist.

[MinuteGal]

Speaking of spines, I just caught a snippet that the living owner of the chili finger has been found.

Can't find a thread on it yet.

Leni

[demlosers]

Get these Prima Donna Senators on record.

[katieanna]

Thank you Leader Frist. We support you. You are doing the right thing. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
Let us know if we can do anything to help.
Peace.

[PISANO]

I will toast Frist after the vote.

.....and I will end my VOW to withhold any donations to the GOP.

[Dad yer funny]

yeah ,... the democRATS will be obstructing and dragging their feet on everything , they might even refuse to swallow their food, just chew it,... this Sunday will be a "ScreechFest"

[ChildOfThe60s]

Ditto.

And even if Frist does this, don't consider it evidence of a newfound spine. Long way to a trend.....

[seamus]

Frist made this statement on the floor of the Senate today. This is the first time he's put a certain time-table on the nuclear option. He must feel he has just enough votes to pull this off and doesn't want the Dems to peel anymore away.

[OXENinFLA]

Priscilla Owen, and Janice Rogers Brown

Excellent choices..........

[Dad yer funny]

yeah,connection to scamlady