Chafee votes against Owen's confirmation

Providence Journal ^ | May 25, 2005 | John Mulligan

[Defiant]

Chafee votes against Owen's confirmation

By JOHN E. MULLIGAN
Providence Journal Washington bureau

WASHINGTON -- Sen. Lincoln D. Chafee was the only Republican to vote today against the confirmation of Priscilla Owen as a federal appellate judge, as a four-year partisan battle over judicial nominations ended.

The Rhode Island Republican had been one of the 14 senators who signed a bipartisan deal to prevent the effort to ban judicial filibusters.

He expressed hope yesterday that President Bush will henceforth make judicial nominations that can win enough bipartisan support to preclude filibuster threats.

Owen's nomination was confirmed on a 56-43 vote, with two Democrats, Sen. Robert Byrd, W.Va., and Sen. Mary Landrieu, La., crossing party lines to support her.

Democrats had used their filibuster powers four times in the past to prevent a vote on Owen, who they said was too conservative for the lifetime position.

Yesterday, following the filibuster agreement, the Senate overwhelmingly voted to end the stalemate and bring the nomination to a vote.

Chafee said in an interview today that he opposed Owen in part because of an opinion she wrote in a Texas case involving a law requiring a minor girl to get parental consent to have an abortion. Chafee said his objection was not so much to how Owen voted in the case but rather to her written rationale for the vote, which referred to moral and religious arguments.

Chafee said he believes that opinion carried Owen "beyond the letter of the law.'' He said some of Owen's conservative colleagues on the Texas court agreed with him on that point.

This was only the second vote that Chafee has cast against one of President Bush's nominees to the federal bench. He has voted to confirm some nominees deemed by abortion rights lobbyists to be opponents of a woman's right to seek an abortion.

Chafee said that while his personal support for abortion rights put his views at odds with the views of those judges, their opinions did not go as far as Owen's did. He said, specifically, that his difference with Owen lay in the details of the workings of how the Texas law in one case would permit a court to override the objection of a parent to a daughter's abortion.

Chafee said yesterday he was undecided on all of Mr. Bush's pending judicial nominees.

Chafee also said that he still intends to vote with his party to confirm John Bolton's nomination to be ambassador to the United Nations.

[Defiant]

Can we just kick him out now?

[EagleUSA]

How much did his vote cost the DNC ??? A new yacht, perhaps?

[TitansAFC]

The side thing is, my Freeper friend, he's about the most Conservative Republican that would ever get elected in his state these days.....

sigh......

[Paul Atreides]

Find out what his pet bills are.

[Defiant]

Isn't there a popular governor or lt. governor who would be a better GOP candidate than Chafee? I think someone from Rhode Island was mentioned as a possible opponent. I sure hope that person runs. If not, I don't care who wins the next time.

[Dan from Michigan]

Chafee's being himself.

[1Old Pro]

The sad thing is, my Freeper friend, he's about the most Conservative Republican that would ever get elected in his state these days.....

I know the feeling. Hillary and Schumer reflect the political leaning of most voters in NY.

[Vaquero]

"Find out what his pet bills are" for what ....gerbils?

[CIDKauf]

How about Robert KKK Byrd voting for?

[Defiant]

Chafee being Chafee = Chafee being Gone.

With 55 Senators, we have a chance to make someone an example. I vote for Lincoln! (First time I've ever been able to say that).

[RobbyS]

Chaffee is as liberal as Dodd. The only thing that keeps him from switching is the example of Jeffords. Traitors command no respect even frpom the side they switch to.

[goodnesswins]

"Chafee said in an interview today that he opposed Owen in part because of an opinion she wrote in a Texas case involving a law requiring a minor girl to get parental consent to have an abortion. Chafee said his objection was not so much to how Owen voted in the case but rather to her written rationale for the vote, which referred to moral and religious arguments."

THE meat of his DISAGREEMENT....

[The Ghost of FReepers Past]

No nominee can win enough support to preclude filibuster threats when the values of the individual members are so polar opposite. It's an impossiblity. What Chaffee really wants is for Bush to nominate judges that agree with him and the Democrats -- the minority in the senate. He doesn't give a flip about the support of the majority. He wants the majority to concede.

[An Old Marine]

How about Robert KKK Byrd voting for?

Now there's the news. What does Sheets know that made him make that move? Maybe he's got some polling from the W.VA. back country. You know those course redneck hardwaorking hick types that are sick of the liberals....

[ambrose]

Chaffee is as liberal as Dodd. The only thing that keeps him from switching is the example of Jeffords. Traitors command no respect even frpom the side they switch to.

Senator Lincoln CHAFEE (R) Rhode Island 2004 Score - 40 Previous Year's Score - 35 Lifetime Score - 41 Years of Service - 5 Appropriations. HR 2673 (Roll Call 3) The Senate adopted an omnibus spending bill with some fiscal restraint, and providing for vouchers to cover tuition at private schools in the District of Columbia. The bill was passed (65-28) ACU supported this bill This member voted in support of ACU's position Seat Belt Use. S 1072 (Roll Call 9) The Senate killed an amendment requiring state to either prove a 90 percent seat belt use rate or enact laws making it a primary crime not to use seat belts. States not meeting either requirement would lose highway construction funds. The bill was passed (57-41) ACU opposed this bill This member voted in opposition to ACU's position Gun Manufacturers' Liability. S 1805 (Roll Call 17) The Senate adopted an amendment prohibiting the sale or transfer of handguns by a licensed manufacturer, importer or dealer unless a secure gun storage or safety device is provided for each handgun. The bill was passed (70-27) ACU opposed this bill This member voted in opposition to ACU's position Extended Unemployment Program. S 1805 Roll Call 18) The Senate rejected an effort to provide federal funds for an additional 13 weeks of unemployment benefits beyond the state program. The bill was defeated (58-39) ACU opposed this bill This member voted in opposition to ACU's position Assault Weapons Ban. S 1805 (Roll Call 24) The Senate adopted an amendment extending for ten years the ban on so-called "assault weapons." 6 304 "A The bill was passed (52-47) ACU opposed this bill This member voted in opposition to ACU's position Gun Liability. S 1805 (Roll Call 29) The Senate killed an amendment exposing gun manufacturers and sellers to civil suits for gun use resulting in death or injury. The bill was defeated (56-41) ACU opposed this bill This member voted in opposition to ACU's position Education Funding. S Con Res 95 (Roll Call 35) The Senate defeated an amendment increasing federal education spending by $8.6 billion, financed by higher taxes. The bill was defeated (46-52) ACU opposed this bill This member voted in support of ACU's position Tax Cuts. S Con Res 95 (Roll Call 36) The Senate rejected an effort to rescind already-passed tax cuts, including the $1,000 child tax credit, the 10 percent income tax bracket at present income levels, and elimination of the marriage penalty. The bill was defeated (47-52) ACU opposed this bill This member voted in opposition to ACU's position Budget Procedures. S Con Res 95 (Roll Call 38) The Senate adopted an amendment establishing rules to make it much more difficult to cut taxes. The bill was passed (51-48) ACU opposed this bill This member voted in opposition to ACU's position Health Programs. S Con Res 95 (Roll Call 46) The Senate defeated and amendment increasing spending on health programs by $30.5 billion, to be paid for by increases in cigarette taxes. The bill was defeated (32-64) ACU opposed this bill This member voted in opposition to ACU's position Fetal Protection. HR 1997 (Roll Call 63) The Senate passed a bill making it a criminal offense to injure or kill a fetus during the commission of a violent crime. The bill was passed (61-38) ACU supported this bill This member voted in opposition to ACU's position Welfare Reform Reauthorization. HR 4 (Roll Call 65) The Senate defeated an effort to pass legislation continuing and extending the welfare reforms passed during the Clinton Administration. The bill was defeated (51-47) ACU supported this bill This member voted in support of ACU's position Medical Malpractice. S 2207 (Roll Call 66) The Senate defeated an effort to move ahead on legislation curbing excessive awards for damages against emergency and trauma center personnel, as well as obstetricians and gynecologists. The bill was defeated (49-48) ACU supported this bill This member voted in support of ACU's position Internet Tax Moratorium. S 150 (Roll Call 75) The Senate approved a motion to move towards passage of legislation extending the Internet tax moratorium for four years. The bill was passed (64-34) ACU supported this bill This member voted in support of ACU's position Overtime Pay Rules. S 1637 (Roll Call 79) The Senate adopted an amendment blocking the Administration from updating outdated Labor Department rules governing overtime pay. The bill was passed (52-47) ACU opposed this bill This member voted in opposition to ACU's position Disability Education. S 1248 (Roll Call 93) The Senate defeated an effort to increase and make mandatory federal funding for programs for educating the disabled by $2.2 billion annually over the next six years. The bill was defeated (56-41) ACU opposed this bill This member voted in opposition to ACU's position Tobacco Attorney Fees. S 2400 (Roll Call 100) The Senate rejected an amendment that would have put the Senate on record as favoring legislation imposing an excise tax on attorneys in tobacco litigation cases equal to 5 percent of their fees beyond $20,000 per hour. The bill was defeated (37-62) ACU supported this bill This member voted in opposition to ACU's position Hate Crimes. S 2400 (Roll Call 114) The Senate adopted an amendment broadening the categories covered by hate crimes to include crimes motivated by the victim's gender, sexual orientation or disability. The bill was passed (65-33) ACU opposed this bill This member voted in opposition to ACU's position Missile Defense. S 2400 (Roll Call 125) The Senate adopted and amendment requiring immediate and continued progress towards testing and eventual deployment of a missile defense shield. The bill was passed (55-44) ACU supported this bill This member voted in support of ACU's position Tax Rate Increase. S 2400 (Roll Call 130) The Senate defeated an amendment raising the top income tax rate from 35 percent to 36 percent. The bill was defeated (44-53) ACU opposed this bill This member voted in opposition to ACU's position Holmes Judicial Nomination. (Roll Call 153) The Senate confirmed President Bush's nomination of J. Leon Holmes of Arkansas to be a judge for the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas. The bill was passed (51-46) ACU supported this bill This member voted in opposition to ACU's position Class Action Lawsuits. S 2062 (Roll Call 154) The Senate failed to move ahead on legislation moving class action cases involving at least 100 plaintiffs and at least $5 million to federal court. The bill was defeated (44-43) ACU supported this bill This member voted in support of ACU's position Homeland Security. HR 4567 (Roll Call 170) The Senate defeated an effort to raise taxes to increase funding for local emergency personnel under the Homeland Security Act. The bill was defeated (41-53) ACU opposed this bill This member voted in support of ACU's position Employee Benefits. HR 4567 (Roll Call 177) The Senate killed an amendment designed to allow Homeland Security concerns to justify federal interference in employee-employer relations. The bill was passed (49-45) ACU opposed this bill This member voted in support of ACU's position Immigration Security. HR 4567 (Roll Call 182) The Senate defeated an effort to go beyond the budget to increase immigration security funding $350 million, including $200 million for biometric technologies. The bill was defeated (44-49) ACU opposed this bill This member voted in support of ACU's position

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     COPYRIGHT © 2004 AMERICAN CONSERVATIVE UNION | PRIVACY POLICY
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Senator Christopher Dodd (D) Connecticut 2004 Score - 4 Previous Year's Score - 15 Lifetime Score - 8 Years of Service - 30 Appropriations. HR 2673 (Roll Call 3) The Senate adopted an omnibus spending bill with some fiscal restraint, and providing for vouchers to cover tuition at private schools in the District of Columbia. The bill was passed (65-28) ACU supported this bill This member voted in support of ACU's position Seat Belt Use. S 1072 (Roll Call 9) The Senate killed an amendment requiring state to either prove a 90 percent seat belt use rate or enact laws making it a primary crime not to use seat belts. States not meeting either requirement would lose highway construction funds. The bill was passed (57-41) ACU opposed this bill This member voted in opposition to ACU's position Gun Manufacturers' Liability. S 1805 (Roll Call 17) The Senate adopted an amendment prohibiting the sale or transfer of handguns by a licensed manufacturer, importer or dealer unless a secure gun storage or safety device is provided for each handgun. The bill was passed (70-27) ACU opposed this bill This member voted in opposition to ACU's position Extended Unemployment Program. S 1805 Roll Call 18) The Senate rejected an effort to provide federal funds for an additional 13 weeks of unemployment benefits beyond the state program. The bill was defeated (58-39) ACU opposed this bill This member voted in opposition to ACU's position Assault Weapons Ban. S 1805 (Roll Call 24) The Senate adopted an amendment extending for ten years the ban on so-called "assault weapons." 6 304 "A The bill was passed (52-47) ACU opposed this bill This member voted in opposition to ACU's position Gun Liability. S 1805 (Roll Call 29) The Senate killed an amendment exposing gun manufacturers and sellers to civil suits for gun use resulting in death or injury. The bill was defeated (56-41) ACU opposed this bill This member voted in opposition to ACU's position Education Funding. S Con Res 95 (Roll Call 35) The Senate defeated an amendment increasing federal education spending by $8.6 billion, financed by higher taxes. The bill was defeated (46-52) ACU opposed this bill This member voted in opposition to ACU's position Tax Cuts. S Con Res 95 (Roll Call 36) The Senate rejected an effort to rescind already-passed tax cuts, including the $1,000 child tax credit, the 10 percent income tax bracket at present income levels, and elimination of the marriage penalty. The bill was defeated (47-52) ACU opposed this bill This member voted in opposition to ACU's position Budget Procedures. S Con Res 95 (Roll Call 38) The Senate adopted an amendment establishing rules to make it much more difficult to cut taxes. The bill was passed (51-48) ACU opposed this bill This member voted in opposition to ACU's position Health Programs. S Con Res 95 (Roll Call 46) The Senate defeated and amendment increasing spending on health programs by $30.5 billion, to be paid for by increases in cigarette taxes. The bill was defeated (32-64) ACU opposed this bill This member voted in opposition to ACU's position Fetal Protection. HR 1997 (Roll Call 63) The Senate passed a bill making it a criminal offense to injure or kill a fetus during the commission of a violent crime. The bill was passed (61-38) ACU supported this bill This member voted in opposition to ACU's position Welfare Reform Reauthorization. HR 4 (Roll Call 65) The Senate defeated an effort to pass legislation continuing and extending the welfare reforms passed during the Clinton Administration. The bill was defeated (51-47) ACU supported this bill This member voted in opposition to ACU's position Medical Malpractice. S 2207 (Roll Call 66) The Senate defeated an effort to move ahead on legislation curbing excessive awards for damages against emergency and trauma center personnel, as well as obstetricians and gynecologists. The bill was defeated (49-48) ACU supported this bill This member voted in opposition to ACU's position Internet Tax Moratorium. S 150 (Roll Call 75) The Senate approved a motion to move towards passage of legislation extending the Internet tax moratorium for four years. The bill was passed (64-34) ACU supported this bill This member voted in opposition to ACU's position Overtime Pay Rules. S 1637 (Roll Call 79) The Senate adopted an amendment blocking the Administration from updating outdated Labor Department rules governing overtime pay. The bill was passed (52-47) ACU opposed this bill This member voted in opposition to ACU's position Disability Education. S 1248 (Roll Call 93) The Senate defeated an effort to increase and make mandatory federal funding for programs for educating the disabled by $2.2 billion annually over the next six years. The bill was defeated (56-41) ACU opposed this bill This member voted in opposition to ACU's position Tobacco Attorney Fees. S 2400 (Roll Call 100) The Senate rejected an amendment that would have put the Senate on record as favoring legislation imposing an excise tax on attorneys in tobacco litigation cases equal to 5 percent of their fees beyond $20,000 per hour. The bill was defeated (37-62) ACU supported this bill This member voted in opposition to ACU's position Hate Crimes. S 2400 (Roll Call 114) The Senate adopted an amendment broadening the categories covered by hate crimes to include crimes motivated by the victim's gender, sexual orientation or disability. The bill was passed (65-33) ACU opposed this bill This member voted in opposition to ACU's position Missile Defense. S 2400 (Roll Call 125) The Senate adopted and amendment requiring immediate and continued progress towards testing and eventual deployment of a missile defense shield. The bill was passed (55-44) ACU supported this bill This member voted in opposition to ACU's position Tax Rate Increase. S 2400 (Roll Call 130) The Senate defeated an amendment raising the top income tax rate from 35 percent to 36 percent. The bill was defeated (44-53) ACU opposed this bill This member voted in opposition to ACU's position Holmes Judicial Nomination. (Roll Call 153) The Senate confirmed President Bush's nomination of J. Leon Holmes of Arkansas to be a judge for the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas. The bill was passed (51-46) ACU supported this bill This member voted in opposition to ACU's position Class Action Lawsuits. S 2062 (Roll Call 154) The Senate failed to move ahead on legislation moving class action cases involving at least 100 plaintiffs and at least $5 million to federal court. The bill was defeated (44-43) ACU supported this bill This member voted in opposition to ACU's position Homeland Security. HR 4567 (Roll Call 170) The Senate defeated an effort to raise taxes to increase funding for local emergency personnel under the Homeland Security Act. The bill was defeated (41-53) ACU opposed this bill This member voted in opposition to ACU's position Employee Benefits. HR 4567 (Roll Call 177) The Senate killed an amendment designed to allow Homeland Security concerns to justify federal interference in employee-employer relations. The bill was passed (49-45) ACU opposed this bill This member voted in opposition to ACU's position Immigration Security. HR 4567 (Roll Call 182) The Senate defeated an effort to go beyond the budget to increase immigration security funding $350 million, including $200 million for biometric technologies. The bill was defeated (44-49) ACU opposed this bill This member voted in opposition to ACU's position

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     Download these ratings as an Access 2003 file - click here / Report errors in the database by e-mailing us at corrections@acuratings.org
     COPYRIGHT © 2004 AMERICAN CONSERVATIVE UNION | PRIVACY POLICY
     1007 Cameron Street | Alexandria, VA 22314 | 703-836-8602 | Fax 703-836-8606 | acu@conservative.org

[The_Repugnant_Conservative]

He may be "Left Wing" in some parts of the country. But almost everyone in RI is to the Left of him.

[Defiant]

He (Byrd) is probably playing a numbers game. He wants to be able to show that he voted for a certain number of Bush's nominees, especially those that will play well back home. So, those that he knows are going to win, he can vote for some. The leftists know that if it had been close, he would have voted against, so it's a win/win deal for him.

I'm surprised Hillary and Joe Lieberman didn't vote for her.

[lilylangtree]

"two Democrats, Sen. Robert Byrd, W.Va., and Sen. Mary Landrieu, La., crossing party lines to support her."

These jerkoffs support her and the pub (I use the term very loosely) that signed the agreement didn't. Oh, man, where can I find a paddle? (rhetorical)

[SoDak]

Chafee is better than nothing. He's far better than Kerry and Kennedy next door.

[TruthShallSetYouFree]

It ain't easy being a lib.

You have to believe that a pregnant 12 year-old can get an abortion without consulting her parents, although schools may not dispense so much as an aspirin without parental approval.

You also have to believe that if a "fetus" (the name the libs always use to distract the sheeple from the fact that it's a human baby) -- even a full-term "fetus" -- has any part of its body still remaining inside the mother, that it is perfectly acceptable to stick a sharp instrument into the skull of the "fetus" causing a large wound to occur, from which the brains of the "fetus" can be conveniently removed with a vacuum cleaner.

Furthermore, you have to believe that, even though the vast majority of Americans strongly disagree with these beliefs, any judges who agree with the majority are somehow "out of the mainstream" of American thought. Kind of like what Yogi said when asked about a certain restaurant: "Nobody goes there anymore--it's too crowded."