Motion to invoke cloture on Caitlyn Halligan to be US Circuit Judge DC Circuit - NOT invoked 54-45-1

[Tx4obama]

The GOPers are STILL blocking President Obama's appointment of Halligan.

Halligan was originally nominated by Obama September 29, 2010
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_federal_judges_appointed_by_Barack_Obama

Motion to invoke cloture on Caitlyn Halligan to be United States Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia Circuit; Not Invoked: 54-45-1
http://democrats.senate.gov/2011/12/06/senate-floor-wrap-up-for-tuesday-december-6-2011/

Note: Senator Murkowski of Alaska was the ONLY Republican that voted with the Democrats to invoke cloture
http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=112&session=1&vote=00222



Edited to add...


Reid Statement On Republican Obstruction Of Caitlin Joan Halligan

Washington, D.C. — Nevada Senator Harry Reid issued the following statement after Republicans blocked the nomination of Caitlin Joan Halligan to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit:

“Senate Republicans today sent the sad message that political gamesmanship is more important than a judicial nominee’s qualifications. Caitlin Joan Halligan is a qualified candidate with bipartisan support from colleagues who call her a brilliant legal mind.

“I am concerned that today the Senate is backing away from the 2005 agreement that the minority would only block judicial nominees in extraordinary circumstances. Since Ms. Halligan’s nomination clearly does not meet that standard, Republicans today lowered the bar for filibustering judicial nominees.

“I am disappointed that Republicans blocked a talented, experienced nominee for no other reason than to please a few ideological extremists. If this truly exceptional candidate isn’t qualified to be a judge in the United States of America, it is hard to imagine who Republicans would find acceptable.”

http://democrats.senate.gov/2011/12/06/reid-statement-on-republican-obstruction-of-caitlin-joan-halligan/

[Tx4obama]

1. Statement by the President on Republican Filibuster of Caitlin Halligan

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
December 06, 2011
Statement by the President on Republican Filibuster of Caitlin Halligan

I am deeply disappointed that a minority of the United States Senate has blocked the nomination of Caitlin Halligan to serve on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. Ms. Halligan has the experience, integrity, and judgment to serve with distinction on this court, and she has broad bipartisan support from the legal and law enforcement communities. But today, her nomination fell victim to the Republican pattern of obstructionism that puts party ahead of country. Today’s vote dramatically lowers the bar used to justify a filibuster, which had required “extraordinary circumstances.” The only extraordinary things about Ms. Halligan are her qualifications and her intellect.

Currently, Senate Republicans are blocking 20 other highly qualified judicial nominees, half of whom I have nominated to fill vacancies deemed “judicial emergencies” by the Administrative Office of the Courts. These are distinguished nominees who, historically, would be confirmed without delay. All of them have already been approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee – most of them unanimously – only to run into partisan roadblocks on the Senate floor. The American people deserve a fair and functioning judiciary. So I urge Senate Republicans to end this pattern of partisan obstructionism and confirm Ms. Halligan and the other judges they have blocked for purely partisan reasons.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/12/06/statement-president-republican-filibuster-caitlin-halligan

[Hawaii Hiker]

6. That's 2 nominees within 6 months who have been filibustered

Liu, now Halligan.

That Gang of 14 Compromise apparently only applies when a repuke is president....

I. Hate. the. GOP.

[usregimechange]

2. So basically her nomination is dead unless Obama uses recess powers

[Tx4obama]

4. Do you think the GOP will allow the Senate to go into X-mas recess, or ....

will they be forced to go into only 'pro-forma sessions' like they've been doing all year?

[Inuca]

8. I don't think he can do that

with judicial appointments.

[Tx4obama]

11. Yes, a president CAN do judicial recess appointments. BUT ...

congress has to go into recess first.
The GOP has been blocking the Senate from adjourning for most of 2011 in order to prevent President Obama from making recess appointments. Instead of adjourning and going into an official recess during their breaks as normal the Senate has had to hold 'pro-forma sessions' every three days until the members return from being away.

[Hawaii Hiker]

13. I think either 2 things need to happen:

1. Come up w/a new Gang of 14 (or whatever number it may be) Compromise so a Democratic president can get his nominees confirmed, because its obivous that last Gang of 14 compromise has expired...

2. Or Senator Reid needs to invoke the nuclear option....

[TexasTowelie]

3. Occupy the US Senate. n/t

[joshcryer]

5. Nov. 2012.

[rhett o rick]

7. How embarassing for the Democrats that let the republicons get their

appointments under the threat of the nuclear option and then turn around and what? The republicons lied. The Democrats apparently bought (hook line and sinker) the lie that republicons wanted up or down votes on appointments. Wow, how did the Democrats get fooled again, eh Charlie Brown?

[great white snark]

9. Dems honored their part and they should be emberassed?

Sounds like you'd rather they behave more like Republicans. Now I'm confused.

[rhett o rick]

12. I am glad to help you with your confusion. The Democrats made a deal that they wouldnt

filibuster Bush's nominations. They agreed that a president should get his nominations. But now that the shoe is on the other foot, the republicons are reneging on the deal. Who would ever have guessed. The republicons are liars and have no principles. Why would Democrats ever make a deal with them? Of course the republicons are bastards for reneging, but the damn Democrats should have expected that. It's almost as if the Democrats dont care.

[Freddie Stubbs]

10. Hatch is a coward

The voters of UT sent him to DC to represent them. He needs to man up and take a stand instead of voting 'present.'