GOP Ignores Key Issues in Thirty-Hour Debate on Nominees

After the U.S. Senate stayed in session overnight to debate judicial nominations, Ralph G. Neas, President of People For the American Way, had the following statement:

“The Senate has confirmed 168 of President Bush’s nominees, and just four have been blocked.

“The Republicans talked all night, but here’s what you didn’t hear. You didn’t hear them say that these judges would roll back the progress we’ve made on women’s rights, civil rights and civil liberties, protection for the environment, privacy and health and safety for workers and consumers. You didn’t hear them say that these four judges are the most extreme, far-right choices possible.

“The stakes are enormously high. Federal judges were a key part of the progress we made over the past 30 years, and the judges appointed to these powerful, lifetime appointments could play the same role in turning the clock back. The Senators who are voting to block these nominations are making a courageous and principled stand for our Constitutional rights.”