Judicial nominees sail through hearing

FROM THE ARCHIVE

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THURSDAY, JULY 12, 2001

The Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday considered the nominations of three of President Bush's picks to the federal bench, an affair filled with feel-good sentiments and few probing questions.

The panel considered Roger Gregory for the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals and Richard F. Cebull and Sam Haddon, both to the federal district court in Montana. Gregory has been given a "qualified" rating by the American Bar Association while Cebull and Haddon have been rated "well-qualified."

Gregory had been previously nominated by President Bill Clinton but never went before the Republican-controlled Senate. Bush subsequently withdrew his nomination early this year but was pressured to reconsider him again.

Haddon has fought tribal sovereignty in at least two cases in Montana. With the support of Slade Gorton, he tried to force state taxation of Indians on reservations. Later, he represented clients who unsuccessfully tried to prove the Flathead Reservation had been terminated.

Freshman Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) questioned Haddon on his views of tribal sovereignty.

Get the Story:
Appeals Nominee Praised at Hearing (The Washington Post 7/12)
Senate panel reacts amicably to judge nominees (Medill News Service 7/12)
Gregory, Montana judges get through questioning easily (AP 7/11)

Relevant Links:
Senate Judiciary Committee - http://www.senate.gov/~judiciary