Now, after Justice Sotomayor, we have another.
Contact Senators http://www.senate.gov
We will learn more about Solicitor General Kagan as her nomination progresses.
We know that she was confirmed as Solicitor General March 19, 2009. Senators
Bayh and Lugar voted for her confirmation. She served in the Clinton administration.
She was the Dean of Harvard Law School. She led the refusal of Harvard
to allow US Military recruiters on campus.
Kagan has espoused the position that free speech can be restricted if such
restriction is best for society. She also likened members of the NRA to
members of the KKK. http://www.nraila.org/News/Read/InTheNews.aspx?ID=13925 More info at http://www.nraila.org/News/Read/InTheNews.aspx?ID=13892 .
Judge Sotomayor professes the duty of judges to make
policy. http://www.newsmax.com/insidecover/Sotomayor_statements/2009/05/26/218143.html
Judicial Oath of Office
On The 2nd Amendment
More on Gun Rights
Rulings Reversed
Tancredo on Sotomayor
WHAT WOULD JEFFERSON SAY?
I find this an interesting question. If one read the Federalist Papers,
it was the intention of the writers of the Constitution that the federal
judiciary be the weakest of the three branches of government because they
were the ones not elected by the people. In a letter to Nathaniel Macon,
Thomas Jefferson wrote the following:
"It has long, however, been my opinion and I have never shrunk from
its expression, ... that the germ of dissolution of our federal government
is in the constitution of the federal judiciary; an irresponsible body,
(for impeachment is scarcely a scare-crow,) working like gravity by night
and by day, gaining a little today and a little tomorrow, and advancing
its noiseless step like a thief, over the field of jurisdiction, until
all be usurped from the States, and the government of all shall be consolidated
into one."
We have come to this pass, in my opinion. If any right may be established
or taken by a court, we no longer have a representative republic. Then
I recall the reported response by Benjamin Franklin when asked by a lady,
"what sort of government have you given us?" He responded, "a
representative republic, madam, if you can keep it."
On August 6, 2009, Vote 00262 was held to confirm Judge Sotomayor. She
was confirmed Yea - 68; Nay - 31; Not voting - 1
Bayh - Yea
Lugar - Yea
For five years, the Bush administration tried to fill a vacant seat on
the 5th District US Court. Finally, on October 24, 2007, a vote was held
to confirm Leslie Southwick to the court. Vote No. 00393 confirmed Southwick
Yea - 59; Nay 38; Not Voting - 3.
Lugar - Yea
Bayh - Nay
Clinton - Nay
Kennedy - NV
Kerry - Nay
On April 7, 2006, Vote #092 was done to invoke cloture regarding the nomination
of Peter Flory as Assistant Secretary of Defense. The cloture motion was
defeated: Y-52, N-41, NV-7. Votes follow:
Lugar - Yea
Bayh - Nay
Kerry - Nay
Kennedy - Nay
Clinton - Nay
On April 7, 2006, Vote #091 was done to confirm Dorrance Smith as Assistant Secretary of Defense. A majority vote was required. Smith was confirmed: Y-59, N-34, NV-7. Votes follow:
Lugar - Yea
Bayh - Nay
Kerry - Nay
Kennedy - Nay
Clinton - Nay
On January 31, 2006, Vote #00002, was held to confirm Judge Alito. He was
confirmed by a vote of 58-Yea; 42-Nay. Some votes follow:
Lugar - Yea
Bayh - Nay
Kerry - Nay
Kennedy - Nay
Clinton - Nay
On January 30, 2006, a cloture vote to end debate on the nomination of
Samuel A. Alito as Justice on the supreme court, The vote #00001 was 72-Yea;
25-Nay and 3-Not Voting. Some votes follow:
Lugar - Yea
Bayh - Nay
Kerry - Nay
Kennedy - Nay
Clinton - Nay
Judge Samuel Alito was nominated to the Supreme Court and has undergone
the Senate hearings. Committee vote should happed in January 2006 and a
full Senate vote shortly thereafter. votes will be reported here for Indiana
Senators.
On October 27, after much opposition from various groups, MS Harriet Meirs,
Esg, declined her nomination to the Supreme Court.
On September 29, 2005, the Senate voted to confirm Judge John Roberts as
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. The vote was 78 - Yea; 22 - Nay:
Lugar - Yea
Bayh - Nay
Clinton - Nay
Kerry - Nay
Kennedy - Nay
On June 9, 2005, two nominees for circuit court judge were confirmed without
a nay vote. A third, Thomas B. Griffith, was confirmed by a vote of 73-Yea;
24-Nay; 3-not voting. This confirmation was for the circuit court of DC.
This court has jurisdiction over all enviormental cases among other case
types. Votes follow:
Lugar - Yea
Bayh - Nay
Kennedy - Nay
Kerry - Nay
Clinton - Nay
On June 8, 2005, a vote was held to invoke cloture so William H. Pryor,
Jr., could receive a vote on his nomination by the Senate. Cloture was
invoked by a vote of 67-Yea; 32-Nay; 1-Not Voting. Votes were as follows:
Lugar - Yea
Bayh - Nay
Kerry - Nay
Kennedy - Nay
Clinton - Nay
On June 8, 2005, Janice Rogers Brown was confirmed by the Senate by a vote
of 56 -Yea; 43-Nay; 1-Not Voting. Votes were as follows:
Lugar - Yea
Bayh - Nay
Kerry - Nay
Kennedy - Nay
Clinton - Nay
On June 7, 2005, a cloture vote was held to allow Janice Rogers Brown a
confirmation vote in the Senate. Cloture was invoked by a vote of 65 -Yea;
32- Nay; 3-Not Voting. Votes were as follows:
Lugar - Yea
Bayh - Nay
Kerry - Nay
Kennedy - Nay
Clinton - Nay
After four years, Justice Precilla Owens, of the Texas Supreme Court, was
confirmed to the Federal Appelate Court. Votes occured on 24 and 25 May,
2005.
A cloture vote was held on 24 May to allow an up or down vote by the full
senate. Both Indiana Senators voted for cloture.
On 25 May, 2005, a confirmation vote was held. Justice Owens was confirmed
by 55-43; votes as follows:
Lugar - Yea
Bayh - Nay
Kerry - Nay
Kennedy - Nay
Clinton - Nay