The Senate is nearing a showdown over President Bush's controversial judicial nominees after talks between Republican and Democrat leaders ended on Monday.
Republicans want to force a vote on several nominees, including Bill Myers for a spot on the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, which hears a large number of Indian law cases. Tribes and tribal organizations have voiced unanimous opposition to Myers, the Interior Department's former lawyer, over his role on sacred sites, sovereignty and the trust relationship.
The National Congress of American Indians warned that a floor vote could come as early as this week. "Mr. Myers' disregard for federal law affecting Native sacred places shows he is unable to fairly and impartially apply the law. His confirmation would be devastating to all Indian tribes," Hall said on Friday.
Get the Story:Democrats, GOP End Talks on Filibusters (The Washington Post 5/17)
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Senate Talks on Judicial Nominees Break Down (The New York Times 5/17)
pwnyt Relevant Documents:
Inspector General Letter | NCAI Resolution | Environmental Group's Letter | Holland & Hart Biography Indianz.Com Profile:
Industry insider named to Interior (March 30, 2001) From the Indianz.Com Archive:
Myers reversing sacred site opinion (10/25)
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