Senate Begins Debate on President Bush's Pro-Life Judicial Picks
Washington, DC -- The Senate on Wednesday began debate on the first of President Bush's pro-life judicial nominees who have been held up by filibusters from Senate Democrats. Senate Majority Leader Bill First decided to start off the days of debate by taking up the nomination of Texas Supreme Court justice Priscilla Owen.
Frist told senators said he was distressed that Democrats would not accept a deal that would include not using the filibusters.
"I'm trying to move to a qualified nominee, Priscilla Owen and we hear these attempts to delay even right now, to sidetrack, to even consider somebody else and that's the challenge,'' Frist said. "That's why we're on the floor of the United States Senate, with the light of day, with the American people watching.''
Reid suggested that Frist gather all 100 senators in the old Senate chamber and discuss the judicial picks without any aides or media present. But, Frist said deliberations on a compromise have made no progress and that it was time to move forward with votes on President Bush's nominees.
Senators are expected to debate this week and hold a test vote on ending the filibuster early next week. If the filibuster continues, Frist will move to change the Senate rules to lower the number of votes needed to stop it.
"I've made it clear what the principle is, a fair up-or-down vote,'' Frist said.
Owen's nomination has chagrined abortion advocates because of her several rulings against allowing teens to bypass the parental notification law in the state of Texas.
President Bush has called Owen "a woman of integrity ... known to be a fair and impartial judge who strives to interpret the law fairly.'' [More]
Washington, DC -- The Senate on Wednesday began debate on the first of President Bush's pro-life judicial nominees who have been held up by filibusters from Senate Democrats. Senate Majority Leader Bill First decided to start off the days of debate by taking up the nomination of Texas Supreme Court justice Priscilla Owen.
Frist told senators said he was distressed that Democrats would not accept a deal that would include not using the filibusters.
"I'm trying to move to a qualified nominee, Priscilla Owen and we hear these attempts to delay even right now, to sidetrack, to even consider somebody else and that's the challenge,'' Frist said. "That's why we're on the floor of the United States Senate, with the light of day, with the American people watching.''
Reid suggested that Frist gather all 100 senators in the old Senate chamber and discuss the judicial picks without any aides or media present. But, Frist said deliberations on a compromise have made no progress and that it was time to move forward with votes on President Bush's nominees.
Senators are expected to debate this week and hold a test vote on ending the filibuster early next week. If the filibuster continues, Frist will move to change the Senate rules to lower the number of votes needed to stop it.
"I've made it clear what the principle is, a fair up-or-down vote,'' Frist said.
Owen's nomination has chagrined abortion advocates because of her several rulings against allowing teens to bypass the parental notification law in the state of Texas.
President Bush has called Owen "a woman of integrity ... known to be a fair and impartial judge who strives to interpret the law fairly.'' [More]
Comments
Post a Comment
Comments are moderated and are published at the blogger's discretion.