Terri Schiavo's Death Puts Focus on Judges

The death of Terri Schiavo has put the spotlight back on the courts.  And, when Congress returns from its Easter break there is expected to be a renewed call to change Senate rules to end the use of judicial filibusters.

The Constitution clearly spells out that the Senate is to provide "advice and consent" in the judicial nomination and confirmation process.  Unfortunately, there are a minority in the Senate dedicated to derail this process through the use of judicial filibusters, which prevent nominees from getting an up-or-down vote on the Senate floor.  The ACLJ will be working actively to urge Senate leadership to move forward with a change of the rules in the Senate putting the use of the judicial filibuster off limits.

There is expected to be a number of judicial nominees who were filibustered in the 108th Congress to be sent to the Senate floor for a confirmation vote in mid and late April.  That event is likely to trigger a debate over the use of the filibuster and the ACLJ will be encouraging Senate leadership to take the necessary action at that time to eliminate the use of the filibuster.  Some Senate Democrats have threatened to bring Senate business to a halt if that occurs. 

The ACLJ will intensify its ongoing effort beginning next week in mounting a campaign to protect the Constitution and to encourage Senate leadership to take the action needed to permit President Bush's judicial nominees -- all of them -- to get an up-or-down vote on the Senate floor.  The American people deserve nothing less.