    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book I)]
    [March 6, 2003]
    [Pages 243-244]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Senate Action To Block a Vote on the Nomination of Miguel
    A. Estrada To Be a United States Court of
    Appeals Circuit Judge
    March 6, 2003

        Miguel Estrada is a well-qualified nominee to the U.S. Court of
    Appeals who has been waiting nearly 2 years for an up-or-down vote in
    the United States Senate. The decision today by 44 Senators to continue

    [[Page 244]]

    to filibuster and block a vote on this nomination is a disgrace.
        The Senate has a responsibility to exercise its constitutional
    advice and consent function and hold an up-or-down vote on a judicial
    nominee within a reasonable time. Some Senators who once insisted that
    every appeals court nominee deserves a timely vote have now abandoned
    that principle for partisan politics. Their tactics are an injustice and
    unfair to the good man I have nominated and unfaithful to the Senate's
    own obligations.
        These Senators are holding Miguel Estrada to a double standard. I
    will stand by Miguel Estrada's side until he is sworn in as a judge. I
    call on the Senate Democratic leadership to stop playing politics and
    permit a vote on Miguel Estrada's nomination. Let each Senator vote as
    he or she thinks best, but give the man a vote.