Sen. Judiciary Chair Leahy Urges Chamber To Confirm Judicial Nominees

Main Category: Public Health
Also Included In: Women's Health / Gynecology
Article Date: 11 Dec 2009 - 5:00 PDT

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Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) on Wednesday urged the chamber to confirm several of President Obama's judicial and executive nominees before the end of the year, CQ Today reports. There are five circuit court nominees and four district court nominees pending on the committee's calendar, as well as 10 executive branch nominees -- including Dawn Johnsen to head the Office of Legal Counsel in the Justice Department.

Three of Obama's 12 circuit court nominees and seven of his 17 district court nominees have received Senate confirmation so far. It is not clear if any other nominees will be voted on before the end of 2009 because of the current debate on health care reform. Senate Republicans have said that Obama's judicial nominees are being processed more quickly than those of President George W. Bush, adding that it is up to the Democratic leadership to set a schedule for nominations. "I hope that instead of withholding consent and threatening filibusters of President Obama's judicial nominees, Senate Republicans will treat nominees of President Obama fairly," Leahy said (Perine, CQ Today, 12/9).

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