President Should Consult With Democrats Before Nominating Any Supreme Court Justice

PRESIDENT SHOULD CONSULT WITH DEMOCRATS BEFORE NOMINATING ANY SUPREME COURT JUSTICE

Schumer: President Should Name Time and Place For Supreme Court Consultation, Dems Will Be There

With Rehnquist Resignation Possible Tomorrow, the Historic Duty of First Bush Supreme Court Nomination Approaches, President Should Follow Tradition of Consultation

Nominations to the Highest Court in the Land Should Get Careful Consideration, Close Consultation, and Bipartisan Consensus

Today, Senator Charles E. Schumer, the ranking Democrat on the Judiciary Subcommittee on the Courts, released the following statement in anticipation of a Supreme Court vacancy in the very near future. Schumer was the author of a Democratic Caucus-signed letter this past Thursday to President Bush urging him to immediately consult with Senators on both sides of the aisle before choosing the next nominee for a potential vacancy on the Supreme Court. Recent news reports indicate that the White House has been in close consultation with way out of the mainstream interest groups.

Schumer said, "By tomorrow afternoon, Chief Justice Rehnquist's position on the Court could be open. Balanced Supreme Court nominations have been arrived at through careful consideration, close consultation, and bi-partisan consensus. I hope that you will follow in this important tradition as the historic duty of your first Supreme Court nomination approaches."

"Democratic Senators are more than ready to meet with you in a spirit of bipartisan cooperation. You pick the time and the place and we will be there," Schumer concluded.

In a letter delivered to the President on June 23, 2005, every member of the Democratic caucus - except Senator Robert Byrd, who planned sending his own letter - made clear that the best path to a fair and reasoned confirmation process is bipartisan consultation and that the best way to avoid the divisiveness and discord of the past is through consensus and cooperation in the selection of future candidates.

Last Thursday White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan, in response to the Democratic Caucus letter told reporters that the White House would listen to Democrats as well as fellow Republicans in the Senate during the process of replacing a Supreme Court justice.

Click here to view letter:
http://schumer.senate.gov/SchumerWebsite/pressroom/Letters/2005/06.23.05%20Bush%20Judges%20ltr..pdf

Source:
http://schumer.senate.gov/SchumerWebsite/pressroom/press_releases/2005/PR41744.SC%20Consult.062605.html