    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2003, Book II)]
    [October 30, 2003]
    [Page 1430]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Senate Action To Block a Vote on the Nomination of Judge
    Charles W. Pickering, Sr., To Be a
    United States Court of Appeals Circuit Judge
    October 30, 2003

        Today a minority of Senators once again blocked an outstanding
    judicial nominee from receiving an up-or-down vote in the United States
    Senate. The nomination of Judge Charles Pickering has been languishing
    in the Senate for over 2 years. He is a good, fair-minded man, and the
    treatment he has received by a handful of Senators is a disgrace. Judge
    Pickering was previously confirmed by the Senate and has led a
    distinguished career, including as a Federal district court judge for
    over a decade. He has wide bipartisan support from those who know him
    best.
        More than one-third of my nominees for the courts of appeals are
    still awaiting a vote. The continued obstruction by a willful minority
    of the Senate is bad for our country, harmful for the provision of
    justice for all Americans, and damaging to the smooth functioning of our
    judicial system. It hurts America, and it is wrong.
        One year ago today, I proposed a commonsense plan to return fairness
    and dignity to the judicial confirmation process. This plan, which would
    apply no matter who is President or which party controls the Senate,
    included specific proposals to fix the underlying problems that have
    long undermined the confirmation process. One year later, certain
    Senators are continuing their obstructionist tactics and are continuing
    to filibuster fine men and women who would make outstanding appeals
    court judges.
        I again urge the Senate to put aside partisan politics and work to
    find a solution that will repair the process and ensure that all
    judicial nominees are treated fairly and that all Americans experience
    timely justice in our Federal courts. As I have said before, let each
    Senator vote how he or she thinks best, but give the nominees a vote.