    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book I)]
    [March 13, 2003]
    [Page 263]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Senate Action To Block a Vote on the Nomination of Miguel
    Estrada To Be a United States Circuit
    Judge
    March 13, 2003

        Today, 42 Senate Democrats have decided to continue their filibuster
    to block a vote on the nomination of Miguel Estrada. The Senate has a
    constitutional responsibility to hold an up-or-down vote on all judicial
    nominees within a reasonable time, but some Senate Democrats have
    abandoned that responsibility in favor of partisan obstructionist
    tactics. The judicial confirmation process is broken, and the
    consequences for the American people are real. Because of the Senate's
    failure to hold timely votes, the number of judicial vacancies has
    become unacceptably high. When the Federal courts are understaffed, they
    cannot act in a timely manner to resolve disputes that affect the lives
    and liberties of all Americans.
        In order to protect the rights of Americans and the sanctity of the
    Constitution, this obstruction must end. Miguel Estrada was nominated
    nearly 2 years ago, yet he still has not received a fair vote. I call on
    the Senate to end the delays, stop holding Miguel Estrada to a double
    standard, and live up to its responsibility to hold an up-or-down vote
    on this highly qualified nominee. As I said before, let each Senator
    vote as he or she thinks best, but give the man a vote.