[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 469 Introduced in Senate (IS)]







110th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 469

   Providing for a protocol for nonpartisan confirmation of judicial 
                               nominees.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             March 4, 2008

 Mr. Specter submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
               the Committee on Rules and Administration

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
   Providing for a protocol for nonpartisan confirmation of judicial 
                               nominees.

Whereas judicial nominations have long been the subject of controversy and delay 
        in the United States Senate, particularly over the last twenty years;
Whereas, in the past, the controversy over judicial nominees has occurred 
        regardless of which political parties controlled the White House and the 
        Senate; and
Whereas, in the current Congress the controversy over judicial nominees 
        continues: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved,

SECTION 1. PROTOCOL FOR NONPARTISAN CONFIRMATION OF JUDICIAL NOMINEES.

    (a) Timetables.--
    (1) Committee timetables.--The Chairman of the Committee on the 
Judiciary, in collaboration with the Ranking Member, shall--
    (A) establish a timetable for hearings for nominees to the United 
States district courts, courts of appeals, and Supreme Court, to occur 
within 30 days after the names of such nominees have been submitted to 
the Senate by the President; and
    (B) establish a timetable for action by the full Committee to occur 
within 30 days after the hearings, and for reporting out nominees to 
the full Senate.
    (2) Senate timetables.--The majority leader shall establish a 
timetable for action by the full Senate to occur within 30 days after 
the Committee on the Judiciary has reported out the nominations.
    (b) Extension of Timetables.--
    (1) Committee extensions.--The Chairman of the Committee on the 
Judiiciary, with notice to the Ranking Member, may extend by a period 
not to exceed 30 days, the time for action by the Committee for cause, 
such as the need for more investigation or additional hearings.
    (2) Senate extensions.--
    (A) In General.--The majority leader, with notice to the minority 
leader, may extend by a period not to exceed 30 days, the time for 
floor action for cause, such as the need for more investigation or 
additional hearings.
    (B) Recess Period.--Any day of a recess period of the Senate shall 
not be included in the extension period described under subparagraph 
(A).
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