[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 36 (Tuesday, March 28, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2462-S2463]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      NOMINATION OF WILLIAM MYERS TO 9TH CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS

  Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, I rise today to note that it has now been 
more than one full year that the nomination of William Myers to the 9th 
Circuit Court of Appeals has been pending on the Senate Calendar. On 
March 17, 2005, the Judiciary Committee approved the Myers nomination 
by a vote of 10-8. Unfortunately, this was not the first time Mr. Myers 
has been approved by the Judiciary Committee. We are also approaching 
the two-year anniversary when Bill Myers was approved by the Judiciary 
Committee in the 108th Congress on April 1, 2004.
  Last year, with the so-called ``Gang of 14'' agreement, many pending 
nominees finally received their long-overdue up or down votes on the 
Senate floor. Unfortunately, Bill Myers was not one of those nominees, 
despite the fact that he has the support of a bipartisan majority of 
this Senate. On July 20, 2004, Bill Myers received 53 votes to end the 
filibuster on his nomination. The time has come to give Bill Myers his 
long-overdue up or down vote on the Senate floor. His nomination has 
been pending on the Senate calendar for a full year now and I urge the 
Senate leadership to bring this nomination up for a vote.
  Bill Myers is a highly respected attorney who was approved 
unanimously by this Senate in 2001 to serve as Solicitor of the 
Department of Interior. Former Democratic Governor of Idaho Cecil 
Andrus, who also served as Interior Secretary in the Carter 
administration, says that Bill Myers possesses ``the necessary personal 
integrity, judicial temperament and legal experience'' as well as ``the 
ability to act fairly on matters of law that will come before him on 
the court.'' As a nominee to fill an Idaho seat on the 9th Circuit, 
Bill Myers has the full support of the entire Idaho congressional 
delegation.
  Bill Myers is a qualified nominee and there is no justification for 
continuing to filibuster or delay his nomination. My fellow Idahoans 
and all residents in the 9th Circuit deserve to have their appeals 
heard in a timely manner. To do this, we must fill all vacancies on

[[Page S2463]]

the court in a timely manner. I join with my colleague from Idaho, 
Senator Craig, in urging this Senate to hold an up or down vote on the 
nomination of William Myers to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.
  Mr. CRAIG. Mr. President, just before we recessed 2 weeks ago, many 
celebrated the Irish national holiday commemorating the Patron Saint 
Patrick. That day also marked an important anniversary for another man: 
William G. Myers. Mr. Myers' nomination was confirmed by the Senate 
Judiciary committee exactly one year ago on that day, and he has since 
been waiting for confirmation by the Senate.
  My colleagues know that this is the second time Mr. Myers will be 
considered by the Senate for a seat on the 9th Circuit Court of 
Appeals. It is important to note that in the previous Congress a 
majority of the Senate voted to confirm him. Due to the circumstances 
of that time, however, his confirmation required a supermajority. I am 
confident that the current Congress will see the fine qualities of Mr. 
Myers, and he will receive a full bipartisan vote for confirmation.
  Mr. Myers will be an advocate of truth and justice. He was confirmed 
in the past as Solicitor for the Department of the Interior and is a 
very talented and capable candidate. His tremendous background 
demonstrates that he will provide clear and precise judgment and 
leadership to the Western States in the Ninth Circuit. Mr. Myers has 
proven throughout his professional career that he understands the 
culture and heritage of the Western States and the issues critical to 
that region. His professional history demonstrates that he will show 
responsibility and intellect in every decision that he makes as a 
judge.
  I strongly support William Myers' nomination to the Ninth Circuit 
Court. He deserves our fair consideration for this position, and it is 
my hope that he will be given an up-or-down vote in the Senate. The 
President has correctly selected this highly qualified nominee, and I 
ask that the Senate move quickly to confirm him.

                          ____________________