[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 66 (Tuesday, May 6, 2003)]
[Senate]
[Page S5766]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  NOMINATION OF PRISCILLA RICHMAN OWEN, OF TEXAS, TO BE UNITED STATES 
                  CIRCUIT JUDGE FOR THE FIFTH CIRCUIT

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
now proceed to the consideration of Calendar No. 86, the nomination of 
Priscilla Owen to be United States Circuit Judge for the Fifth Circuit.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The assistant legislative clerk read the nomination of Priscilla 
Richman Owen, of Texas, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Fifth 
Circuit.


                             Cloture Motion

  Mr. McCONNELL. I send a cloture motion to the desk.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The cloture motion having been presented under 
rule XXII, the Chair directs the clerk to read the motion.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

                             Cloture Motion

  We the undersigned Senators, in accordance with the provisions of 
rule XXII of the Standing Rules of the Senate, do hereby move to bring 
to a close debate on Executive Calendar No. 86, the nomination of 
Priscilla R. Owen of Texas to be United States Circuit Judge for the 
Fifth Circuit.
         Bill Frist, Orrin Hatch, John Cornyn, Michael B. Enzi, 
           Jim Talent, Judd Gregg, Jeff Sessions, Wayne Allard, 
           Mike Crapo, Thad Cochran, Mitch McConnell, Susan 
           Collins, Don Nickles, George Allen, Kay Bailey 
           Hutchison, Gordon H. Smith, John Warner.

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the live 
quorum provided for under rule XXII be waived.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, the cloture motions I just filed will 
ripen on Thursday. This will be the sixth cloture vote on the Estrada 
nomination and the second on the Owen nomination. I am compelled to 
file these motions because we have been unable to reach a time certain 
for an up-or-down vote on these two highly qualified nominees.
  The record will reflect the many times we have asked unanimous 
consent for a debate limit on the Estrada and Owen nominations, only to 
have an objection from the other side of the aisle.
  As has been said previously, we will not give up hope that the Senate 
will be able to work its will on these judicial nominees. Senators can 
vote for them, Senators can vote against them, but these people deserve 
a vote.
  Stalling and not allowing an up-or-down vote is an indication that 
the system is broken. I commend Senator Cornyn and others in their 
efforts to begin a dialog regarding the ramifications for the Senate of 
these judicial filibusters.
  I will notify all Members as to the exact timing of the cloture votes 
on Thursday.

                          ____________________