Johnny Isakson, United States Senator from Georgia


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Thursday, May 19, 2005 Isakson: Senate Has Constitutional Duty To Give All Judicial Nominees A Vote *Joins Six Other GOP Freshmen in Calling for End to Obstructionism* WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson (R-GA) today joined with his six fellow Republican freshmen in calling for the Senate to carry out its Constitutional responsibility to give all judicial nominees an up-or-down vote. Isakson and the six other freshmen senators who were elected last fall said voters made it clear they want an end to the obstructionism from Senate Democrats, who have spent two years blocking 10 of the President’s judicial nominees from getting an up-or-down vote on the Senate floor. “The American people expect us to do what the Constitution requires us to do – advise and consent on the President’s judicial nominees with a simple majority vote,” Isakson said at a news conference outside the Capitol with the six other GOP freshmen. “I will cast my vote to ensure every nominee gets an up-or-down vote.” The seven freshmen pledged to support Majority Leader Bill Frist in his effort to clarify the rules of the Senate and to restore a 214-year Senate tradition whereby judicial nominees are confirmed by a simple majority – 51 votes out of 100. Frist has not set a date for such a vote. The U.S. Constitution specifies those few times when the Senate must have a two-thirds vote, such as to ratify treaties or to override a presidential veto. But when it comes to confirming the President’s judicial nominees, the Constitution does not require a two-thirds vote for confirmation nor does it pave the way for the minority to stage a filibuster that can only be stopped with 60 votes. The Constitution simply states that it is the Senate’s responsibility to advise and consent with a majority vote of the body. Isakson said the Democrats have made it clear they care less about the qualifications of the nominees than about winning the issue politically. “For the Democrats, this is about finding a way to obstruct the process,” Isakson said. Please click here to listen to audio from a news conference Senators Isakson and Chambliss held earlier today to discuss judicial nominees. ###
E-mail: http://isakson.senate.gov/contact.cfm Washington: United States Senate, 120 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510 Tel: (202) 224-3643 Fax: (202) 228-0724 Atlanta: One Overton Park, 3625 Cumberland Blvd, Suite 970, Atlanta, GA 30339 Tel: (770) 661-0999 Fax: (770) 661-0768

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, May 19, 2005

Isakson: Senate Has Constitutional Duty To Give All Judicial Nominees A Vote
Joins Six Other GOP Freshmen in Calling for End to Obstructionism

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson (R-GA) today joined with his six fellow Republican freshmen in calling for the Senate to carry out its Constitutional responsibility to give all judicial nominees an up-or-down vote.

Isakson and the six other freshmen senators who were elected last fall said voters made it clear they want an end to the obstructionism from Senate Democrats, who have spent two years blocking 10 of the President’s judicial nominees from getting an up-or-down vote on the Senate floor.

“The American people expect us to do what the Constitution requires us to do – advise and consent on the President’s judicial nominees with a simple majority vote,” Isakson said at a news conference outside the Capitol with the six other GOP freshmen. “I will cast my vote to ensure every nominee gets an up-or-down vote.”

The seven freshmen pledged to support Majority Leader Bill Frist in his effort to clarify the rules of the Senate and to restore a 214-year Senate tradition whereby judicial nominees are confirmed by a simple majority – 51 votes out of 100. Frist has not set a date for such a vote.

The U.S. Constitution specifies those few times when the Senate must have a two-thirds vote, such as to ratify treaties or to override a presidential veto. But when it comes to confirming the President’s judicial nominees, the Constitution does not require a two-thirds vote for confirmation nor does it pave the way for the minority to stage a filibuster that can only be stopped with 60 votes. The Constitution simply states that it is the Senate’s responsibility to advise and consent with a majority vote of the body.

Isakson said the Democrats have made it clear they care less about the qualifications of the nominees than about winning the issue politically.

“For the Democrats, this is about finding a way to obstruct the process,” Isakson said.

Please click here to listen to audio from a news conference Senators Isakson and Chambliss held earlier today to discuss judicial nominees.

###

E-mail: http://isakson.senate.gov/contact.cfm

Washington: United States Senate, 120 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510
Tel: (202) 224-3643 Fax: (202) 228-0724
Atlanta: One Overton Park, 3625 Cumberland Blvd, Suite 970, Atlanta, GA 30339
Tel: (770) 661-0999 Fax: (770) 661-0768