[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 39, Number 44 (Monday, November 3, 2003)]
[Pages 1503-1504]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Statement on Action in the Senate To Block an Up-or-Down Vote on the 
Nomination of Judge Charles W. Pickering, Sr.

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.

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