Posted on 04/26/2003 9:02:22 PM PDT by TLBSHOW
Defeat the Judicial Nominations of Owen and Sutton
Contributed by Working Assets
The Bush administration is continuing its aggressive efforts to dramatically alter the makeup of the Federal appeals courts by nominating ideologically driven candidates. While much of the public's attention has been distracted by the drumbeat of war, Mr. Bush and his conservative allies continue to push through candidates who will tilt critical appeals courts for decades to come. If approved, these nominees receive lifetime appointments and are often considered for the Supreme Court.
Last year, the Senate Judiciary Committee rejected only two of the most damaging candidates, Priscilla Owen and Charles Pickering, yet Bush has resubmitted both of them again this year in hopes of being able to push them through via the new Republican majority in the Senate.
Currently, Senate Democrats are successfully blocking the nomination of Miguel Estrada to the District of Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals with a filibuster. There are two other nominees in the final stages of consideration that should also be blocked, via filibuster if necessary:
Judge Priscilla Owen for the U.S. Court of Appeals, Fifth Circuit The Judiciary Committee rejected Priscilla Owen last year based on a record that featured attacks to reproductive freedom, workers' rights and consumers' rights. During her seven years on the Texas Supreme Court she advocated positions far to the right of conservative justices appointed by then-Governor Bush. If confirmed to the 5th Circuit, just a step below the U.S. Supreme Court, Owen's extreme views would threaten the rights and liberties of millions more Americans in Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi.
Jeffrey Sutton for the U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit Jeffrey Sutton has been criticized for his extensive efforts as a lawyer to severely limit federal protections against discrimination and injury based on disability, race, age, sex, and religion. More than 70 national organizations and over 375 regional, state, and local groups have opposed his confirmation. Sutton has vigorously advocated going further even than the current 5-4 Supreme Court majority in restricting Congress' authority to protect civil rights.
If approved, these nominees will severely damage our judiciary. They should be rejected, and senators should use the filibuster if necessary.
Call to action
Urge your senators to vote against judicial nominees who are hostile to values of freedom, reproductive choice, privacy and justice. These nominees will be decided upon as early as next week, so time is of the essence. Please take action today and let your friends and family know about this important campaign.
and these two groups are behind much of the problem we are having with the Senate Democrats right now.
People For the American Way
Alliance for Justice
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