Confirmation Of Smith May Herald End Of Judicial Nominee Gridlock

The Washington Times (7/16, Hudson) reports, “The gridlock over President Bush’s judicial nominees eased yesterday with the confirmation of Judge Lavenski R. Smith to the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, the first action growing from a deal struck last week between Republicans and Democrats. Judge Smith of Arkansas was confirmed by the Senate on a voice vote, after senators backed a measure to vote on his confirmation by a 94-3 margin. Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, South Dakota Democrat, tentatively agreed to hold votes on judges in exchange for Senate Minority Leader Trent Lott, Mississippi Republican, releasing his hold on the nomination of Jonathan Adelstein, an aide to Mr. Daschle, for the Federal Communications Commission. . However, the objections of Sen. John McCain over a particular nominee are forcing Republicans and Democrats to proceed at a snail’s pace to confirm 70 stalled candidates. . While Judge Smith was confirmed without conflict, the nomination of Texas Supreme Court Justice Priscilla R. Owen to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court came under fire yesterday. Her first committee hearing is set for Thursday. . Liberal special interest groups held a press conference criticizing the nominee, immediately followed by conservative groups defending her as a fair and qualified candidate. . The groups, which include the National Organization for Women, the AFL-CIO and Planned Parenthood, want Democrats to reject the nomination.”

Coalition Decries Liberal Groups’ Criticism of Owen.

The Houston Chronicle/AP (7/16) reports, “The U.S. Senate should not allow any ‘left-wing activist groups to hijack’ the confirmation process of Texas Supreme Court Justice Priscilla Owen, President Bush’s nominee for a federal appeals court, several groups said Monday. ‘She’s just, very simply, an excellent, an extremely well-qualified and a very liked judge,’ said Kelly Shackelford, chief counsel of Liberty Legal Institute, which says it specializes in the defense of religious freedoms and First Amendment rights. . Bush has nominated Owen for the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans, which decides appeals from federal courts in Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi. A hearing before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee is scheduled for Thursday. Shackelford made his comments Monday as his and other groups pledged their support for Owen after a coalition of labor, consumer and women’s rights groups last week labeled Owen an ‘ultraconservative activist’ who opposes consumer and reproductive rights. The groups last week pledged to battle Owen’s confirmation. . Among the groups Monday that held the news conference in support of Owen’s nomination were the Texas Justice Foundation, Free Market Foundation, Liberty Legal Institute, the Texas chapter of Concerned Women for America, Texas Eagle Forum, the Texas Home School Coalition, the Texas Christian Coalition, the Young Conservatives of Texas and Texas Citizens for a Sound Economy.”