Senate Democrats offered on Thursday to confirm four of President Bush's judicial nominees but are continuing the fight against Bill Myers and other controversial picks.
Democrats offered votes on three nominees to the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals, which hears cases from Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky and Tennessee. The fourth nominee is for the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, which hears a significant number of Indian law cases, including the Cobell v. Norton trust fund lawsuit.
Not included in the offer is Myers, the former Interior Department solicitor who is nominated for a spot on the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, which hears a large number of cases affected tribes in seven western states, Alaska Natives in Alaska and Native Hawaiians in Hawaii.
Myers was blocked by a Democratic filibuster last year but President Bush re-nominated him.
Republicans rejected the Democrats' offer and said all nominees need an up-or-down vote. The White House is singling out Priscilla Owen, a California Supreme Court justice, and Terry Boyle, a federal judge, for confirmation and has not said anything publicly about Myers, who is opposed overwhelmingly in Indian Country.
Get the Story:GOP Senators Back Pryor, Reject a Democratic Deal (The Washington Post 5/13)
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Senators Wrangle as Panel Approves Judicial Nominee (The New York Times 5/13)
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:
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