Senator Stabenow responds to my filibuster letter
Senator Stabenow's response feels more personal. I like how she is considerate of respecting the religious views of people. I agree that the faith of a person should not be a point of consideration when selecting people.
Thank you . . .
. . for contacting me regarding your support for the filibuster rule of the Senate in relation to judicial nominations, also known as the "nuclear option." I understand your concerns about the increased role of partisan politics in the judicial appointment process.
You might be interested to know that the Senate has confirmed 205 of President Bush's judicial nominations to date, which is an over 95% confirmation rate. Only 10 of President Bush's nominees have faced serious opposition to their confirmation. As a result, we currently have the lowest court vacancy rate since Ronald Reagan was President.
As you know, Senator Frist has indicated that he will pursue the "nuclear option" this Congress. This would be a fundamental change in our constitutional system of checks and balances. Because federal judges receive lifetime appointments to a separate branch of government, our founders created two distinct steps in the selection process. The President nominates judges and the U.S. Senate must agree through the "advice and consent" process. Keeping the checks and balances in this process is critical to the American democratic tradition that minority views will be
represented and heard.
At a time when countries like Iraq are struggling to establish their own free democracies using the American system of checks and balances, I believe our country should not be weakening our own democracy. For these reasons, I do not support changing the filibuster rule.
Also, I am deeply dismayed that some have suggested that the opposition to the ten Presidential nominees is because they are people of faith. The personal faith of nominees was not used against the 205 judges that we have already confirmed, nor is it being used against those few nominations that are being opposed.
Thank you again for contacting me about this important matter. If ever I can be of assistance to you or your family, please let me know.
Sincerely,
Debbie Stabenow
United States Senator
Thank you . . .
. . for contacting me regarding your support for the filibuster rule of the Senate in relation to judicial nominations, also known as the "nuclear option." I understand your concerns about the increased role of partisan politics in the judicial appointment process.
You might be interested to know that the Senate has confirmed 205 of President Bush's judicial nominations to date, which is an over 95% confirmation rate. Only 10 of President Bush's nominees have faced serious opposition to their confirmation. As a result, we currently have the lowest court vacancy rate since Ronald Reagan was President.
As you know, Senator Frist has indicated that he will pursue the "nuclear option" this Congress. This would be a fundamental change in our constitutional system of checks and balances. Because federal judges receive lifetime appointments to a separate branch of government, our founders created two distinct steps in the selection process. The President nominates judges and the U.S. Senate must agree through the "advice and consent" process. Keeping the checks and balances in this process is critical to the American democratic tradition that minority views will be
represented and heard.
At a time when countries like Iraq are struggling to establish their own free democracies using the American system of checks and balances, I believe our country should not be weakening our own democracy. For these reasons, I do not support changing the filibuster rule.
Also, I am deeply dismayed that some have suggested that the opposition to the ten Presidential nominees is because they are people of faith. The personal faith of nominees was not used against the 205 judges that we have already confirmed, nor is it being used against those few nominations that are being opposed.
Thank you again for contacting me about this important matter. If ever I can be of assistance to you or your family, please let me know.
Sincerely,
Debbie Stabenow
United States Senator
posted by R Lathrop at 6:51 PM
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