[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 42 (Thursday, April 10, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S2963]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      FEDERAL JUDICIARY VACANCIES

  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, we are now in April and we have been in 
session for 4 months. We have confirmed two Federal judges in 4 months. 
That is half a Federal judge a month. There are almost 100 vacancies in 
our Federal judiciary. That means that puts a strain on our Federal 
justice system. Cases cannot be heard because judges are not there. 
Prosecutors are forced to plea bargain in cases they do not want to. If 
you are a private litigant in a business or just an individual and you 
have suits you want heard, they cannot be heard.
  The Chief Justice of the United States has said it is a crisis 
situation. It is.
  Mr. President, I urge the leadership of this body to start moving 
forward and get some of the vacancies filled, take the judges that have 
already been nominated, get them confirmed, and show respect to the 
independent Federal judiciary of this country.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. LIEBERMAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. LIEBERMAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that I may be 
allowed to proceed as in morning business.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

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