OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Nomination of Patricia Ann Millett to be United States Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia

Floor Speech

Date: Oct. 31, 2013
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Judicial Branch

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. GRASSLEY. Madam President, I want to illustrate why this seat doesn't need to be filled. These are the other circuits. The average of those other circuits is 383 caseloads. The DC Circuit has 149, so workload doesn't demand it.

Secondly, we are in a situation where this administration has said: ``If Congress won't, I will.'' He is going to do it by executive order. This is a court that can rule for or against the executive orders of this administration. We need to maintain checks and balances of the government.

Also, each one of these seats costs $1 million, and not just for 1 year, but every year for the rest of the life of those judges who are serving full time. I ask that my colleagues vote against this cloture motion.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. GRASSLEY. What that doesn't take into consideration is that there are six senior status judges on this court. Chief Judge Garland told us that their workload is the equivalent of 3 1/4 judges. So presently there are enough judges to go around and that would equal 11 1/4 judges. There are 8 judges there now plus the 3 1/4 that have senior status. There are plenty of reasons not to fill any more seats on this court.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT


Source
arrow_upward