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Republicans Stonewall Obama's Judges

Procedural maneuvers help Senate GOP stall confirmation process

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted Oct 26, 2009 2:13 PM CDT

(Newser) – Despite the 95 yawning vacancies on the federal bench, Senate Republicans are blocking virtually all of President Obama’s nominees. Only three of Obama’s 22 nominees have been confirmed, as Republicans take the “partisan war over the courts into uncharted territory,” writes Doug Kendall for Slate. Both parties have been increasingly aggressive in recent years in blocking nominees, but the GOP is now blocking even consensus candidates.

Uncontroversial judges traditionally gain confirmation without debate after a quick voice vote. But thanks to arcane rules, any senator can theoretically throw a wrench in the works, and that’s what Republicans are doing, hoping to use the judges as bargaining chips on other issues. “This is unprecedented and dangerous,” writes Kendall. It “undermines the one part of the judicial confirmation process that was still working.”

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell isn't allowing even uncontroversial nominees to come to the floor. (AP Photo/Harry Hamburg)

In this July 22, 2009 file photo, President Barack Obama responds to questions during a news conference in the East Room of the White House. (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds, FILE)

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 52 comments

tloke

Oct 17, 2010 3:41 AM CDT

“This is unprecedented and dangerous" Well, you're half right. It has already proved to be dangerous. The GOP did the same thing while president Clinton was in the White House. It created a large number of open positions. Those vacancies were filled up when President G.W. Bush was elected. The Democrats blocked something like 6 of 199 nominees, and the GOP cried foul. What a powerful long term strategy. The GOP sure does know how to play this game. If only we had investigative reporters that can remember more than two administrations....

Guest

Nov 11, 2009 11:01 PM CST

please i think we need a grass roots aprouch here...corporate america got thier way in congress by deregulating everything and small gov..no over sight..for greed and corruption to set in...we the people of the united states need to take back all of washington d.c. its tainted...lets start to look for honest citizens...atorneys to step up to the plate to replace all members..they have been there for to long and will never change thier corrupt ways..we need a no lobbiests rule..so everything is fair and balanced congress was never there for the people...its been a party with no achomishments that what they wanted...the american people have been fleeced in eveyway and poisoned....we need to get the ball rolling america..lets start to chant go home congress we are replacing all of you good bye and good luck in your future ...

d3wd

Oct 31, 2009 11:24 PM CDT

Agreed, Observer. However, the same could be said about the other major party.

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Republicans Stonewall Obama's Judges

Procedural maneuvers help Senate GOP stall confirmation process

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Barack Obama • federal courts • Senate Republicans • judge • federal judges • judicial nominations • Obama administration • President Obama

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Republicans Stonewall Obama's Judges

Procedural maneuvers help Senate GOP stall confirmation process

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Barack Obama • federal courts • Senate Republicans • judge • federal judges • judicial nominations • Obama administration • President Obama

MOST POPULAR STORIES

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More Newser Stories

Detroit Bust Would've Been Better Than Bailout

Ex-Prez Bush says bailout his idea, and a good one

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Budget would institute 'Buffett Rule,' boost infrastructure

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'Accommodation' for religious employers will likely be announced today

Small Donors Gave 48% of Obama's 2011 Donations

That's more than double the proportion from 2007: analysis

No Child Left Behind Waiver Granted to 10 States

At least 28 more plan to seek one

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Newser By Users

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