ACLJ Pleased Senate Confirms Judge Southwick - Troubled that Confirmation Process "Badly Damaged"

(Washington, DC) The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), specializing in constitutional law, said today it is pleased the Senate voted to confirm the nomination of Judge Leslie Southwick for a seat on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.  At the same time, the ACLJ says its troubled that this nomination only highlighted the fact that the confirmation process for judicial nominees is badly damaged.

Were pleased that a majority in the Senate put politics aside and voted to confirm Judge Southwick, said Jay Sekulow, Chief Counsel of the ACLJ.  Its disturbing, though, that it took so long for the Senate to follow its constitutional mandate:  to advise and consent by giving Judge Southwick an up-or-down vote.  While were pleased that Judge Southwick has been confirmed, were deeply troubled that the confirmation process for judicial nominees has been badly damaged by obstructionists who chose to play political games instead of carrying out their constitutional responsibilities in a timely manner.  Judge Southwick will serve the 5th Circuit well.  But the way the Senate leadership acted in this matter did not serve the American people well.

Under the direction of Chief Counsel Jay Sekulow, the American Center for Law and Justice has been working to ensure that judicial nominees receive fair treatment during the confirmation process and are afforded up-or-down votes in the U.S. Senate.

The ACLJ specializes in constitutional law and through its global affiliates works to protect religious freedom and liberty in more than 36 countries worldwide.  The ACLJ is headquartered in Washington, D.C.