Senate Republicans block Obama appeals court nominee

[alp227]

Source: Washington Post

Senate Republicans on Tuesday filibustered the nomination of Caitlin Halligan to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, blocking the nominee President Obama chose last year to serve on one of the nation’s most powerful courts.

The final roll call vote on cutting off debate was 54 to 45. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) joined all 53 members of the Democratic caucus in voting to move ahead with Halligan’s nomination, leaving the former New York state solicitor general six votes short of the 60 needed to end debate.

Sen. Orrin G. Hatch (R-Utah), who has never voted to filibuster a judicial nomination, voted “present.”

Obama said in a statement that he was “deeply disappointed” by the filibuster and argued that Halligan’s nomination “fell victim to the Republican pattern of obstructionism that puts party ahead of country.”

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/senate-republicans-block-obama-appeals-court-nominee/2011/12/06/gIQAktUlaO_story.html

[krispos42]

1. "Why doesn't Obama DO SOMETHING!!!" screamed the Republicans...

...as they put all their weight on the brake handle.

[DissedByBush]

3. This is getting old

We stonewall theirs, they stonewall ours, tit-for-tat goes on until we have no judges.

At some point someone has to tell the children to play nice and do their constitutionally mandated chores.

[russspeakeasy]

2. It's what they do. It's all they do.

[red dog 1]

4. Can't POTUS do a recess appointment or two during the X-mas holiday period?

When Congress is in recess?

[Historic NY]

6. He is going to have to send in distractions; booze, broads, interns and porn..

to distract them

[evilhime]

5. Makes no sense

that he doesn't appoint a bunch of the judges on recess, at least get them on the bench for however long and fill some vacancies. This is ridiculous - and justice is not served :(

[Nancy Waterman]

7. They don't recess anymore

The GOP manipulate even that so Obama can't appoint anyone even then. They are so disgusting. If the Dems keep the Senate, they need to end the individual holds and the filibuster and push through everything they can.

[lsewpershad]

8. I have a feeling that

if the shoe were on the other foot the repukes would have found a way around this gridlock. This administration should find a way to sock it these flunkies.