Judicial Obstruction

Senator Bill Frist
04/29/2005

I just wanted to give you an update about where we stand right now on the judicial obstruction issue in the Senate.

This week, we made a lot of progress. Our message that Senators should do their job and give judicial nominees fair up-or-down votes clearly is resonating.

The Democratic leadership is now stepping back from their threat to shut down the Senate. Obviously, the American people are frustrated that Democrats would shut down our government simply because they don't want to vote.

Yesterday, after almost daily meetings with Senator Reid, I put an offer on the table.

It would give Senators up to 100 hours to debate judicial nominees on the floor and then guarantee an up-or-down vote. I also gave them my word -- as Majority Leader -- that I would protect their right to filibuster legislation and non-judicial nominees.

My good-faith offer was met immediately with a pretty harsh response from Democratic leadership. They dismissed it as a "big wet kiss to the far right."

Well, I don't think Senators having their say and then casting up-or-down votes is right or left. I think that's pretty much straight up the middle democracy.

I hope Democratic leaders will consider my offer carefully. It's not the perfect answer for either side, but it's the right solution for America.

Throughout my remarks this week and, really, throughout my tenure as Majority Leader, I've talked about the need to return civility to our nation's capital.

This debate is a chance to try to do that. As Ronald Reagan used to say -- we can disagree without being disagreeable.

I firmly believe the American people want their leaders to put politics aside and work together to find solutions.

I'm very passionate about fair up-or-down votes for the President's judicial nominees. And I know you are too.

This is about principle. And, as the debate progress, you can be sure we'll hold tight to the principle that the President's judicial nominees deserve fair up-or-down votes.

Thanks for all your continued support. We're going to get the right thing done for these nominees, for the Senate, and for America. 

Bill Frist

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