Senate to Recess without Action on Estrada Nomination

CNSNews.com ^ | Feb.15, 2003 | Christine Hall

[conservativecorner]

recess(CNSNews.com) - Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist Friday announced that the Senate will recess for the President's Day holiday instead of forcing a vote on the judicial nomination of Miguel Estrada.

Speaking at a Capitol Hill news conference Friday, Frist said he will try to force a vote on the nomination of Estrada to the District of Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals after the recess is over and the Senate reconvenes.

The decision to recess the Senate without a vote contradicts what Frist said earlier this week. "We'll stay as late as they would like tonight and tomorrow night," Frist said Wednesday, according to the Capitol Hill newspaper Roll Call. "My expectation is that by the end of this week, and before our recess, and possibly into our recess, we expect what all American people expect and deserve; an up-or-down vote on this outstanding candidate."

Democrats have said they will filibuster the vote on Estrada who, in their view, is reticent about his views and under-qualified. Democrats have said they have the votes necessary to block cloture, which normally ends debate in the Senate and leads to a floor vote on any given issue.

Frist said if "judges are going to be filibustered, not based on qualifications, but...partisan politics, it sets a bad precedent for this Congress and future Congresses.

"I'm willing to be patient to give the Democrats the opportunity to make their case before the American people," said Frist. But, he warned, "I'm willing to stay on this Estrada nomination as long as it takes" to get the full Senate to vote on it.

Sen. George Allen (R-Va.), chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, expressed frustration with court vacancies, many of which have been prolonged by partisan wrangling.

"This is like Groundhog Day every day around here, with everyone getting up and saying the same thing," said Allen, referring to the 1993 movie in which characters repeatedly wake up to the same day. The Senate has been at loggerheads over the nomination since it was brought up eight days ago.

"There are 12 judges allocated to this court (the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals); a third of them are unfilled," said Allen. "What you have is justice delayed, which means justice is denied."

But Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) insisted that it's answers, not more debate, that's needed.

"We don't need more time to debate Mr. Estrada's nomination," said Daschle on Feb. 13. "We need answers from Mr. Estrada. Without those answers, debate is hollow because we lack the basic information we need to make an informed judgment about Mr. Estrada's fitness."

Estrada has not offered specific answers to questions about ideology, saying that doing so could place him in the position of "prejudging" any issue that may come before him in court and would run counter to his "view of the judicial function."

[SwinneySwitch]

LA Demonrat Mary Landrieu needs to get it this weekend for one.

[InterceptPoint]

... the Republicans have ads on Spanish language stations ...

Sounds good. Where did you read this?

[LS]

That's RIDICULOUS. Just watch. We will get both. If I was in the army, you would be the LAST guys I'd want on my side, because you'd berate the officers when they ordered a repositioning to a more strategic spot. Glad you're not in charge.

Bush (and, by extension, Frist) has been in command of this whole thing since 9/11. Every thing Bush wanted, he has gotten. He did so not by "in your face" thumping the Democrats but by appearing to be a "nice guy" who just wanted to do what is best for America. As a result, he has slapped them silly, and this is no different. This is about BLIX.

[LS]

Don't want you in my army. Wellington redeployed his army at Waterloo. The fool French thought it was a retreat, and were murdered.

Just watch. We win both, Iraq and Estrada.

[LibKill]

THIS AIN'T RIGHT!

[sirchtruth]

The decision to recess the Senate without a vote contradicts what Frist said earlier this week.

Yes, and this just shows the rubber spine that Frist now has.

Sometimes you do have to stand up!!!

[Miss Marple]

It has been in several articles. I think PhiKapMom has the information, so I am flagging her.

I do know that Senator Inhofe's speech on the Senate floor was in SPANISH and was picked up by the Oklahoma Spanish news broadcast for prime time.

[TLBSHOW]

Article II, Section 2 of the Constitution grants the President the authority to:

The President shall have Power to fill up all Vacancies that may happen during the Recess of the Senate, by granting Commissions which shall expire at the End of their next Session.

[sirchtruth]

Bush (and, by extension, Frist) has been in command of this whole thing since 9/11. Every thing Bush wanted, he has gotten. He did so not by "in your face" thumping the Democrats but by appearing to be a "nice guy" who just wanted to do what is best for America. As a result, he has slapped them silly, and this is no different.

As the result we have seen Bush foward at this time I can not disagree with you, but this has to do with Frist, not Bush!

When the LEADER of the senate says something, don't you think he should back that up with action instead of whimping out like a turd?

[Vinnie]

Recess appointments can only be used when the president is a democrat

My bad, I should have read the footnote.

[gardner]

You are rapidly approaching France in your level of helpfulness.

Great line Miss Marple.

[JohnG45]

Hey Braindead, there was no reason for us to "redeploy." We were in the superior position. Plain and simple, Frist wimped out.

The Republican Party - a testosterone free zone!

[DDDDaytonNot]

Well put. Remember, the adults really are in charge. They are not democrats - so things are not always so loud and obvious. Cooler heads will prevail. (I hope....:)

[TLBSHOW]

Plain and simple, Frist wimped out.


BUMP

[DDDDaytonNot]

I really think (again, hope) that the good doctor has this under control. If you really think about it, the dems are once again digging a hole for themselves. I wouldn't be surprised if our new Majority Leader could kick some serious butt in a chess match.

[marajade]

Are you always so hard headed?

Its clearly explained in the other thread you posted as why the senate was recessed...

[B Knotts]

I don't understand why they didn't force the Democrats to speak 24/7 to keep their filibuster.

[marajade]

Did you read the other thread?

[TLBSHOW]

I don't agree with or believe ant of those reasons, Sorry!

[TLBSHOW]

ant = any