POLITICS - Republicans in U.S. Senate Advise-and-Block Role on Judicial Nominations

Thanks to the say-no-to-anything-Obama Republicans.  They are fulfilling their advise-and-block role.

"Is the judicial confirmation impasse impacting American justice?" PBS Newshour 11/19/2013

Excerpt

GWEN IFILL (Newshour):  We turn now to the fight over President Obama's judicial nominations.

Yesterday, for the third time in as many weeks, the Senate blocked the confirmation of a presidential nominee to serve on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, the nation's second highest court.  In a June 4 Rose Garden ceremony, President Obama nominated federal Judge Robert Wilkins, law professor Cornelia Pillard, and attorney Patricia Millet.  All three have failed to garner the 60 votes needed for confirmation.  A fourth nominee, Caitlin Halligan, who is counsel for the Manhattan district attorney, withdrew her name after she was blocked earlier this year.

Republicans say the D.C. Circuit is just too large and that the Senate is fulfilling its advise-and-consent role.

What does the standoff mean for the judiciary?

For that, we turn to:  Caroline Fredrickson, president of the American Constitution Society for Law and Policy, and Carrie Severino, chief counsel and policy director of the Judicial Crisis Network.