[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 39, Number 11 (Monday, March 17, 2003)]
[Pages 320-321]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Statement on the Senate Filibuster To Block a Vote on the Nomination of 
Miguel Estrada

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

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before, let each Senator vote as he or she thinks best, but give the man 
a vote.