ConfirmThem

By AndrewHyman Comments () / Email this page » / Leave a comment »

At 2:00 p.m. today, Majority Leader Frist offered a compromise proposal to resolve the judicial nominations impasse. The proposal is described below. This is some initial information, and more will follow.

Guaranteed up or down votes on judicial nominations.

* Circuit Court and Supreme Court nominees will receive an up or down vote on the U.S. Senate floor.

* District Court nominees unaffected—no current problem.

Guaranteed debate time on judicial nominations.

* Up to 100 hours of debate.

* Allows all members an opportunity to have their say.

* This length of debate time was available for members post-cloture until 1986.

Guaranteed reporting from Judiciary Committee to floor.

* Process to ensure nominees come to the floor.

* Sen. Arlen Specter “protocols" are model.

* Committee serves critical investigative and oversight process, and that will continue.

Guaranteed fairness for Senators and nominees.

* No blockade at Committee.

* Full and comprehensive debate.

* Up or down vote on the Senate floor.

Guaranteed protection of the legislative filibuster.

* No changes for legislative matters---all rights of U.S. Senators for legislation preserved.