Filibuster Fever in Washington

By 

Jay Sekulow

|
May 23, 2011

2 min read

ACLJ

A

A

It is going to be a very important month in the U.S. Senate involving the use of the judicial filibuster.  As you know, I have been advocating a rules change in the Senate that would prohibit the use of the filibuster for judicial nominees.  The Constitution is very clear about the Senate providing "advice and consent" for Presidential nominees - not employing a tactic that effectively removes them from consideration.  A filibuster prevents the full Senate from taking an up-or-down vote on the judicial nominee.

I want you to know that our Washington team is in contact with leadership in the Senate and urging that a rules change be employed to bring an end to this obstructionist tactic.  I want you to know the opposition is launching a campaign to keep the filibuster in place.  People for the American Way and others are going to great lengths to pressure the Senate to keep the filibuster in place. 

I will be letting you know more about our efforts in the weeks ahead to generate wide, public support for the rules change.  There is a lot at stake here.  Of course, there are judicial nominees who have been filibustered in the past who will now be coming up before the Senate once again.  And, of course, if there is a vacancy on the Supreme Court of the United States, you can imagine the confirmation battle that will ensue in Washington.  I believe the use of the judicial filibuster is not only wrong, but unconstitutional.

These developments will be unfolding in the days and weeks ahead.  I will keep you posted on our website and on my daily radio broadcast.  I also want you to have an opportunity to review an important document that we prepared for members of the U.S. Senate -- a document outlining the options available to Congress to bring an end to this dangerous strategy.