Senate Democrats quickly rejected a Republican offer to end the stalemate over President Bush's controversial judicial nominees.

Calling it "a big wet kiss to the far right," Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (Nevada) and other Democrats rejected the proposal because it would eliminate filibusters. Republican Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (Tennessee) offered to allow 100 hours of debate on judicial nominees before allowing an up or down vote.

Democrats offered their own plan on Tuesday, which was immediately rejected by Republicans. Reid had said Democrats were willing to allow votes on some nominees if the more controversial ones were dropped.

One of the nominees caught in the debate is Bill Myers, the Interior Department's former top lawyer. Tribes oppose placing him on the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals due to his record on sacred sites, sovereignty and the trust relationship.

Last year, Senate Democrats successfully blocked Myers using a filibuster. President Bush renominated him despite the opposition.

Get the Story:
Parties resort to same-name calling: "judicial activists" (The Denver Post 4/29)
GOP Offers Trade-Off on Filibusters (The Washington Post 4/29)
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Gore Cautions on Ending Filibusters (The Washington Post 4/29)
Frist Offers Compromise on Judicial Posts (The New York Times 4/29)
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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)
Bush nominee has no 'agenda' on Clinton decisions (6/21)

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