Oh Brother!
Sen. Harry Reid Claims Judges Don’t Matter to AmericansSenate majority leader says nominees are 'not a big issue.'by Devon Williams, associate editor
On the Senate floor today, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., claimed the issue of judicial nominees doesn’t matter to Americans.
“I’m telling you, Madam President, I can't ever remember going home and somebody saying, ‘Could you guys (confirm) some more judges? We need to take care of this judges problem.’ ” Reid said. “Frankly, judge(s) is not a big issue (compared) to all of the other problems we're facing in America.”
Tom McClusky, vice president for government affairs at the Family Research Council, said America’s problems are exactly why judicial confirmations are necessary.
“If the life issue’s important, if economic issues are important, if national security issues are important, Congress has given their power over to the judiciary,” he said. “No matter what your issue that’s true to your heart, judges, one way or the other, are the ones making the decisions.”
Judge Peter Keisler, a nominee for the D.C. Circuit Court, has been waiting more than two years for a confirmation vote; Judge Robert Conrad was nominated to the 4th U.S. Circuit Court one year ago today.
Senate Republicans, including Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., had requested three hours today to discuss judicial confirmations, but Reid said one hour was more than enough.
Bruce Hausknecht, judicial analyst for Focus on the Family Action, said it was a tactic to stop Republicans from pushing the issue.
“No wonder Senator Reid doesn't hear much about the ‘judges problem’ — he closes down Senate debate so he won't hear it,” Hausknecht said. “If he talked to nominees like Peter Keisler or Robert Conrad, he would most certainly hear about the Senate's ‘judges problem.’ ”
McClusky said Reid needs to hear from concerned Americans.
“As Senate majority leader," he said, "he needs to hear from all Americans that this issue is important to them and that he needs to get moving.”
