ACLJ Calls Sen. Frist's Proposal to Break Gridlock on Judicial Nominees "Imminently Reasonable and Constitutionally Sound"

April 28, 2005

(Washington, DC) The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), which focuses on constitutional law, said today it supports the proposal put forth by Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist calling for an up-or-down vote by the Senate on all judicial nominees. The Frist proposal comes as efforts intensify to find a way to bring an end to filibustering judicial nominees.

"This represents an imminently reasonable and constitutionally sound approach to break the gridlock over judicial nominees," said Jay Sekulow, Chief Counsel of the ACLJ. "The use of a filibuster to prevent consideration of judicial nominees is not only wrong but reflects a stridently unfair treatment of nominees. No one wants to eliminate debate concerning nominees but every nominee deserves an up-or-down vote on the Senate floor. Thats exactly what Senator Frist is proposing and we believe this represents a workable resolution to this impasse over judicial nominees."

The ACLJ has received nearly 35,000 names on a nationwide petition urging the Senate to adopt a rules change putting the filibuster off-limits for judicial nominees. The ACLJ is using a number of methods to get the word out including direct mail, email, website, its weekly national television program, and its daily radio program, which is heard on nearly 550 radio stations nationwide.

The ACLJ also has provided legal memoranda to Senate members urging them to eliminate the use of the filibuster for judicial nominees.

Led by Chief Counsel Jay Sekulow, the American Center for Law and Justice is based in Washington, D.C.