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‘Commitment To The Public Interest, Above All Else’
Senate Democrats Praised William Barr As 'An Independent Voice' And Confirmed Him To High-Level Justice Department Positions 3 Different Times Biden And Leahy: Barr Has A 'Commitment To The Public Interest, Above All Else' And Would Be 'An Independent Voice For All Americans' "[Sen. Pat] Leahy [D-VT] said he believes that Barr, as attorney general, will be 'an independent voice for all Americans -- not just the President.'" ("Judiciary Panel Approves Barr For Attorney General," Los Angele… Continue Reading
01.08.19
Sen. Schumer’s Short Memory
The Democratic-Controlled Senate Kept Working During The 2013 Government Shutdown THE WASHINGTON POST: 'Democrats Pledge To Paralyze Senate As Shutdown Negotiation Tactic' (The Washington Post, 1/07/2018) THE HILL: 'Democrats Plan To Jam Up Senate Over Shutdown Fight' (The Hill, 1/07/2019) But The Senate Passed Legislation Unrelated To Government Funding During The 2013 Shutdown The federal government was shut down from October 1, 2013, until October 17, 2013. ("How We Got Here: A Sh… Continue Reading
09.07.18
Independence, Loyalty To The Constitution
American Bar Association: 'Judge Kavanaugh Believes Strongly In The Independence Of The Judicial Branch Of Government' JUDGE BRETT KAVANAUGH: "[M]y only loyalty is to the Constitution and I have made it clear, I'm an independent judge." (U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing, 9/06/2018) JUDGE KAVANAUGH: "I think the first thing that makes a good judge is independence, not being swayed by political or public pressure. That takes some backbone, takes some judicial fortitude. The great mom… Continue Reading
09.06.18
‘Nothing Is Off The Table’
FLASHBACK: Senate Democrats Changed 'The Ground Rules' On Judicial Nominations; First EVER Partisan Filibuster Of A Supreme Court Justice Current Judiciary Committee members Sens. Leahy, Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), and Dick Durbin (D-IL) participated in the first-ever attempt at a partisan filibuster of a Supreme Court nominee, Samuel Alito. (PN1059, Roll Call Vote #1: Motion Passed 72-25: R 53-0; D 19-24; I 0-1, 1/30/2006, Leahy voted Nay) SEN. PAT LEAHY (D-VT): "The vote may be seen as sym… Continue Reading
09.05.18
‘A Neutral And Impartial Arbiter Who Favors No Litigant Or Policy’
Sen. Schumer Praised Judges Who Place 'Rule Of Law Above Everything Else,' 'Even When Doing So Results In Rulings That Go Against So-Called Sympathetic Litigants' JUDGE BRETT KAVANAUGH: "My judicial philosophy is straightforward. A judge must be independent and must interpret the law, not make the law." (U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing 9/04/2018) JUDGE KAVANAUGH: "A good judge must be an umpire-a neutral and impartial arbiter who favors no litigant or policy. As Justice Kennedy e… Continue Reading
09.04.18
Judge Kavanaugh: ‘A Superstar’
Even Leading Liberal Legal Experts Call Him 'A Brilliant Jurist,' 'Legendary For His Preparation,' Say 'The Senate Should Confirm Him' Lisa Blatt, A 'Liberal Democrat' Who Has 'Argued 35 Cases Before The Supreme Court,' Introduced Judge Kavanaugh At His Hearing LISA BLATT, head of Supreme Court practice for Arnold & Porter: "I am here today to introduce Judge Kavanaugh and urge the Senate to confirm him as the next Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. I've received angry calls fr… Continue Reading
09.04.18
Minds Made Up
Senate Judiciary Committee Democrats Rallied Against Judge Kavanaugh Before The Ink Was Dry On His Nomination SEN. CHUCK SCHUMER (D-NY): "I'm going to fight this nomination with everything I've got." (Sen. Schumer, Press Conference, 7/10/2018) July 10, 2018: "Every Democratic member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, led by top California Democrat Sen. Dianne Feinstein, promised to lead the fight against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh Tuesday morning on the steps of the Supreme C… Continue Reading
09.03.18
Bipartisan Acclaim For Judge Kavanaugh Is ‘Deep, Broad And Enthusiastic’
Those Who Know Judge Kavanaugh, Have Worked With Him, Learned From Him, Or Studied His Jurisprudence Praise Him Legal Scholars And Experts Recognize Judge Kavanaugh As 'Immensely Qualified For The Supreme Court' And Say He 'Commands Wide And Deep Respect Among Scholars, Lawyers And Jurists' Law School Deans: 'There Can Be No Serious Doubt That Judge Kavanaugh Is Eminently Qualified By His Ability, Training, Education, Character, Judicial Demeanor, And Record On The Bench' KATE STITH, For… Continue Reading
08.31.18
Democrats’ ‘Gold Standard’
American Bar Association Gives Judge Kavanaugh Its Highest Possible Rating Of Unanimously 'Well Qualified' AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION on Judge Kavanaugh: "The American Bar Association's Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary has completed its evaluation of the professional qualifications of Judge Brett M. Kavanaugh … After an exhaustive evaluation process, the Standing Committee has determined by a unanimous vote that Judge Kavanaugh is 'Well Qualified' for the position of Associate J… Continue Reading
08.29.18
A Productive August
Senate Remained 'In Session This Month To Continue Working On Behalf Of The American People' SENATE MAJORITY LEADER MITCH McCONNELL (R-KY): "August is usually a time for Senators to spend more time in our home states, meeting with our constituents and reporting on the progress we've made in Washington. But this August had to be different. There was too much business left unfinished. So I made the decision to keep the Senate in session this month to continue working on behalf of the American… Continue Reading
05.16.18
Gina Haspel: ‘The Right Person To Lead The CIA’
'She Is A Person Of High Integrity With Valuable Frontline And Executive Experience As A Career Intelligence Officer' SENATE MAJORITY LEADER MITCH McCONNELL (R-KY): "This morning, our colleagues on the Intelligence Committee finished their consideration of Gina Haspel's nomination to be CIA director and reported her nomination favorably with bipartisan support. Senators heard about her thirty-plus years of CIA experience, spanning sensitive operations from the Cold War to the Global War on T… Continue Reading
05.16.18
21 Circuit Court Judges Confirmed
'Trump's Judicial Picks Could Shape The Direction Of The U.S. Court System For Decades' SENATE MAJORITY LEADER MITCH McCONNELL (R-KY): "We were all in a celebratory mood as a result of having approved the 21st circuit judge just a few moments ago. That means that [nearly] one-eighth of the circuit judges in America have been appointed by Donald Trump and confirmed by this Republican Senate. So we think we're making dramatic progress on that front …" (Sen. McConnell, Press Conference, 5/1… Continue Reading
05.15.18
A Pair Of ‘Exceedingly Qualified’ Judicial Nominees
Senate Confirms 18th And 19th Court Of Appeals Nominees This Congress SENATE MAJORITY LEADER MITCH McCONNELL (R-KY): "Yesterday, the Senate voted to confirm two more of President Trump's fine circuit court nominees. Michael Scudder and Amy St. Eve -- both of Illinois, both exceedingly qualified, and both carrying the bipartisan support of the Judiciary Committee." (Sen. McConnell, Floor Remarks, 5/15/2018) "Legal observers have praised President Donald Trump's two most-recent nominees to th… Continue Reading
05.10.18
What Changed, Dems?
How Can 50 Senate Democrats Vote To Confirm John Brennan, But Not Gina Haspel? "Senate Democrats gave President Trump's CIA nominee Gina Haspel a fierce grilling Wednesday over the post-9/11 'enhanced interrogation' program, which is fair enough. The question is, how many will vote against her - after they voted to confirm President Barack Obama's CIA pick, John Brennan, back in 2013? Brennan, after all, was also deeply involved in the use of waterboarding and other now-controversial techniq… Continue Reading
05.10.18
Michael Brennan: ‘Brilliant, Experienced,’ ‘Fair-Minded’
Fellow Wisconsinites Laud Brennan For His 'Strong Commitment To Justice And The Rule Of Law' SENATE MAJORITY LEADER MITCH McCONNELL (R-KY): "[Michael] Brennan's nomination comes as only the latest distinction in a career marked by impressive legal accomplishments. In both public service and private practice, [he] has developed a reputation for a keen legal mind and an unwavering commitment to the rule of law. According to current and former peers on the Milwaukee County Circuit Court, Mr. Br… Continue Reading
05.09.18
Bipartisan National Security Leaders Support Gina Haspel
Former Obama Administration Officials: 'I'm Glad It's Gina;' Call Haspel 'An Exceptionally Well-Respected Professional,' 'Capable, Smart, Very Experienced' SEN. RICHARD BURR (R-NC), Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman: "I know Gina personally and she has the right skill set, experience, and judgment to lead one of our nation's most critical agencies. I'm proud of her work, and know that my committee will continue its positive relationship with the Central Intelligence Agency under her le… Continue Reading
05.08.18
‘More Momentum’ On Judges
Senate Considering Six Additional Circuit Court Nominations SENATE MAJORITY LEADER MITCH McCONNELL (R-KY): "This week, the Senate will consider another slate of extremely well-qualified nominees for seats on the federal bench. A thoughtful, independent, and expert judiciary is a cornerstone of our constitutional order. It's been the case since the very beginning. Accordingly, the six circuit court nominees we'll now consider have excellent reputations in the legal field, and have demonstrate… Continue Reading
04.24.18
Democrat Obstruction Continues
President Trump's Nominees Have Faced 88 Cloture Votes In First 2 Years Vs. 24 For Previous 6 Presidents Combined In Their First 2 SEN. JOHN THUNE (R-SD): "[T]his really is a new low here in the Senate in terms of nominees." (Sen. Thune, Press Conference, 4/24/2018) SEN. JOHN BARRASSO (R-WY): "It is only partisan politics from the Democrats that are slowing down this entire process to try and prevent President Trump from putting his team together to lead the nation." (Sen. Barrasso, Press C… Continue Reading
04.24.18
15 Circuit Court Judges Confirmed
SENATE MAJORITY LEADER MITCH McCONNELL (R-KY): "These are men and women who try to interpret laws as written or as the Constitution seems to specify." (Bowling Green Daily News, 4/02/2018) Circuit Court Judges Confirmed In 2018 FIFTEEN: Kyle Duncan of Louisiana confirmed by the Senate by Yea-Nay Vote 50-47 to be United States Circuit Judge for the Fifth Circuit SEN. BILL CASSIDY (R-LA): "His breadth of experience makes him a great choice…. [Kyle Duncan] has extensive courtroom e… Continue Reading
04.23.18
‘America Will Be Better Off If Mike Pompeo Is Confirmed’
Editorial Pages On Mike Pompeo: 'Solid Knowledge Of The World,' 'A Professional,' 'Has Gained The President's Trust' USA TODAY EDITORS: "Unless a nominee has clear ethical or competency failings, presidents should be accorded wide latitude to select top aides whom they trust and agree with. Pompeo passes that test and merits approval…. Pompeo has a strong record for being tough on Moscow's recent history of malign behavior … Pompeo is no dummy - he graduated from Harvard Law Sc… Continue Reading
