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.
"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. "
Does this mean the president is supposed to consult the senate to see whether or not they approve of his nominations??? Seems to me this is just another power grab.
Did you take the time to listen to what Frist said to all the Senators prior to the defection by the RINOs? It was an excellent presentation. That the 14 slobs failed to listen is not Frist's fault!
How about the two whores from ME?!
Yesterday I was more optimistic than today, because someone on the radio said that the Constitutional option would come up again when and if Rehnquist resigns on June 27 and the libDems filibuster the Supreme Court nominee. But today I heard Rush say that this deal is for one and one/half years.
Also, because he has lost some leverage, I'm afraid President Bush will nominate his good friend LIBERAL and pro-"choice" Gonzalez. I think we need to keep contacting President Bush and tell him to select a STRONG pro-life and conservative nominee for the U.S. Supreme Court.
More Conservative Republicans really need to vote in the primaries so stop the RINOs from taking over the party.
I'm also worried about losing the internet free-speech, but don't think that will happen for a very long time, if at all.
Thanks for all that you do, strategofr.
Correction by Rush.
I just heard Rush say that he just talked with Frist's office, and Frist says Constitutional option is still on the floor. I'm getting dizzy, but am hopeful again.
:)
Correction, Snowe, not Collins is up for re-election in 2006.
Frist couldn't lead sailors to a whorehouse.
I would thank Bill Frist for his fight AND tell him to follow Rush's advice. I think politicians will be stronger if they get a compliment about the good they do, as well as criticisms.
Frist was very disappointed, and it wasn't his fault that there were seven Republican sell-outs to the libDems. Rush said Frist was not one of the seven "nit-wits." I am more conservative than Bill Frist, myself, but I don't blame him for everything.
Bill Frist number is: 202-224-3344.
"I know people are being very hard on Frist right now. But in all honesty, because I'm not knowledgeable on this topic, what tools were at Frist's disposal that he could have used to shape the behavior of McCain?"
Actually, I don't know of any, but if anyone here does, please let us know.
The ones I blame are the seven sell-outs.
Ok, some of the females in the senate are madams others are whores.
That's the attitude that will keep us losing--"Hey, what do you want me to do, I'm just the leader of the senate republicans, it's not like I have any power!"
We need AN ENFORCER in charge of the senate Republicans--one who says "Look, I will help you on this vote and that bill, but we need this."
McCain has NO fear of Frist. None. And that is essential in a leader.
That so many FReepers can't get this concept through their skulls tells me all I need to know about why our senators are so spineless.
See my post 393, please. Thanks
I agree with you that we need a leader willing to make some deals to get them to vote with him.
I am just assuming Frist did all he could in that area. I don't know, but neither do those bashing him.
If he didn't do that, he deserves to be attacked. But, unless I hear otherwise, I think the guy deserves the benefit of the doubt since he did push this issue.
Well, the proof is in the pudding, isn't it? Could you imagine a dem pulling a move like this under Lyndon Johnson?
#@%)&^ &%*_#^'$!
This is sad...
Frist may not have to "Accept" this, but there is absolutely nothing he can do to force the rule change necessary to end a filibuster with seven of his RINOs refusing to cooperate with him.
Face reality.... it's over. They just squandered the best and potentially only opportunity to significantly impact the make up of judges at the federal and supreme court level.
A very, very sad day indeed..
cant argue that.
of course I hope the zona voters remember.
Its time to raise a republican challenger in his state.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.