Sexual HealthSenate Judiciary Committee Postpones Votes On Two Federal Court Nominees
Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee delayed a confirmation vote on President Obama"s nominees for federal court positions until after the Memorial Day recess, Roll Call reports. David Hamilton, a district court judge in southern Indiana, is nominated for the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, and Andre Davis is nominated for the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals (Brady, Roll Call, 5/21). Committee ranking member Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) said, "Our members are concerned" about Hamilton, adding that Hamilton "has had a number of troubling rulings dealing with a series of prayers at the Indiana Legislature." Hamilton in 2005 ruled that prayers used to open the Legislature must be nonsectarian. Sessions said he also is concerned about Hamilton"s ruling to prohibit religious displays in public buildings. Committee Chair Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) defended Hamilton"s record. Leahy said, "He is, after all, the son of a minister, and he believes very strongly in the constitutional separation of church and state" (Stern, Bloomberg/Philadelphia Inquirer, 5/22). Leahy added that Hamilton "ought to be commended rather than obstructed or delayed." Meanwhile, the committee is awaiting Obama"s nominee to replace Justice David Souter on the Supreme Court. The nomination could further complicate consideration of Hamilton and Davis, as it is expected to occupy the panel through the summer (Roll Call, 5/21).
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