Leahy Accuses Republicans Of Stalling On Obama's Judicial Nominees

(01/20/2010)

1/20/2010 3:19 PM ET

(RTTNews) -  Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy, D-Ver., made a statement Wednesday after the Senate unanimously confirmed the nomination of Beverly Martin to the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, criticizing Republicans for stalling the process of getting the judicial nominations approved.

"The delays for consideration of the nomination of Judge Martin, along with delays for seven other judicial nominations currently on the Senate's Executive Calendar, are the result of a Republican strategy to stall, delay and obstruct that began last year," Leahy said.

He added, "I urge the Senate Republican leadership to join with us and with President Obama to fill the more than 100 vacancies that have now accumulated on our Federal courts around the country."

Martin's nomination had been pending before the full Senate for more than four months before she was finally confirmed by a 97-0 vote Wednesday. She is just the fourth circuit court nomination confirmed by the Senate in the current Congress.

Last year, the Senate only confirmed 12 circuit and district court nominations, the fewest judicial nominations in over 50 years. There are still over 100 vacancies on federal benches across the country, and more than 20 future vacancies have been announced.

"Republicans have refused to agree to the consideration of qualified, noncontroversial nominees for weeks and months," Leahy said. "The lack of Senate action last year is attributable to Senate Republicans and no one else."

Leahy said he urges Republicans to "reconsider their strategy and allow prompt consideration of the other judicial nominees awaiting Senate consideration."

Meanwhile, shortly after her confirmation, Martin said it is "humbling that President Obama and his administration thought of me for this job."

Martin added that, though she will miss her position as a U.S. District Court judge, "the time has come to go."

Source: RTT News