executive nominations

PFAW Calls for GOP Senators to Show Responsibility, Confirm Stalled Judicial Nominees

Republican Senators are looking to show that they have any interest in responsible governance before November’s election, this is the last week for them to show it.

Currently, 23 of President Obama’s judicial nominees are waiting for a vote by the full Senate. Nineteen of those nominations have been pending for more than five months, some for nearly a year. Eleven of those nominations are to fill vacancies designated “judicial emergencies.”

Judiciary Committee Approves Seven Nominees, Including Liu; All Have Been Waiting Months for Senate Votes

After months of delays, the Senate Judiciary Committee today approved the nominations of seven federal court nominees, including Goodwin Liu for the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.

GOP Digs in on Judicial Obstruction in Judiciary Committee

Senate Republicans on the Judiciary Committee today blocked votes on eight judicial nominees, including five renominated by the White House after they failed to receive a vote on the Senate floor before the August recess.

Senate Confirms One Judicial Nominee, GOP Holds Up Many More

After relentless obstruction and dangerous politicking of the Senate GOP, the Senate today confirmed Jane Stranch to a seat on the Sixth Circuit Court of appeals.

Democrats Begin Breaking the Nominee Logjam

Following yesterday’s 72-24 confirmation of Chris Schroeder to head the Office of Legal Policy, Marge Baker, Executive Vice President at People For the American Way, issued the following statement:

“The overwhelming confirmation vote puts a spotlight on the ongoing efforts by Senate Republican leaders to block the Obama administration at every turn. More importantly, it shows that Senate Democrats can successfully overcome Republican delay tactics by insisting on votes and highlighting obstruction.

Republican Obstruction of Executive and Judicial Nominees

Despite being presented with qualified nominees, unquestionably within the ideological mainstream, Republican Senators have engaged in a calculated effort to slow the confirmation of President Obama's executive and judicial nominees.

Dawn Johnsen Nomination Withdrawn

Dawn Johnsen, President Obama’s pick to lead the Office of Legal Counsel withdrew her nomination for the position, demonstrating the effects of reckless obstruction by the GOP.

Broad Based Support for Dawn Johnsen

Anyone who has listened to GOP Senators labeling Dawn Johnsenas a "controversial" nominee could be excused for assuming that her support has been limited to the liberal extreme of the legal community. But the facts tell a different story.

Dawn Johnsen Approved by Judiciary Committee

In a party line vote today, President Obama's choice to head the Office of Legal Counsel was approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee. This is the second time that Johnsen, who was first nominated more than a year ago, has been approved by the committee.

GOP Obstruction of Executive Branch Nominees

According to PFAW's review of records, GOP senators are blocking President Obama's Executive Branch nominees at a rate never seen before.

Dawn Johnsen Resource Center

Despite support from across the ideological spectrum, Dawn Johnsen's confirmation to head the Office of Legal Council has been met with unprecedented delays and obstruction by GOP Senators.

GOP Obstruction on Nominations Reaches New Low

According to media reports, Richard Shelby has placed a blanket “hold” on all executive branch nominations in an effort to secure federal spending in his state.

Senate Republicans Continue Obstruction of Crucial Obama Nominees

Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee today delayed a committee vote on several of President Obama’s judicial and executive branch nominees, including three Department of Justice nominees who he renominated after GOP Senators denied them an up or down vote last year.

Vote Long Overdue on 3rd Circuit Court Nomination

Today, People For the American Way called on the U.S. Senate to confirm President Obama's nominee to the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals, Joseph Greenaway.

"Judge Greenaway is a competent, qualified, fair-minded nominee who should be confirmed for this position as soon as possible," said Marge Baker, Executive Vice President at People For the American Way. "He was approved unanimously by the Judiciary Committee. There's absolutely no reason to delay his confirmation to this post."

Obama Renominates Dawn Johnsen for OLC

The President yesterday formally renominated Dawn Johnsen, his choice to head the Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel, along with several other nominees obstructed by Senate Republicans last year.

Judiciary Republicans Seek to Delay Johnsen Confirmation

In response to news reports that Republican members of the Senate Judiciary Committee are seeking a second hearing for Dawn Johnsen, People For the American Way Executive Vice President Marge Baker said, "This latest maneuver by Senate Republicans is anything but a good faith effort to protect national security. We absolutely face serious threats, and the Obama administration needs all hands on deck."

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