May 26, 2005 -- Today Progress for America congratulates Judges Priscilla Owen, Janice Rogers Brown and William H. Pryor Jr. on their lifetime appointments on the Federal Court of Appeals.
PFA’s announcement comes on the heels of an agreement struck between seven Republican and seven Democrat senators last night that clears the way for up or down votes on some of Bush's nominees: Judges Priscilla Owen, Janice Rogers Brown and William H. Pryor Jr.
"This agreement allows strong conservative judges like Priscilla Owen and Janice Rogers Brown to be confirmed to lifetime judicial appointments. While imperfect, it ensures that filibusters will only be used in ‘extraordinary’ circumstances – which returns to the Senate tradition prior to the Reid/Daschle hijacking – and provides that the Constitutional Option may still be employed if some Senate Democrats walk away from their promise to allow up or down votes,” stated Brian McCabe, president of Progress for America.
“Ralph Neas, President of the People for the American Way, said Priscilla Owen had an ‘extreme judicial philosophy’ and that Janice Rogers Brown was ‘unfit to serve,’ and spent a reported $5 million. Today these same judges are ensured of confirmation. Now that both will receive lifetime judicial appointments, Neas claims this is a ‘major defeat for the radical right.’ This is like Custer declaring victory at Little Big Horn.”
“ Ralph Neas, President of the People for the American Way, said Priscilla Owen had an ‘extreme judicial philosophy’ and that Janice Rogers Brown was ‘unfit to serve,’ and spent a reported $5 millio... ”
“We got what we really want: President Bush's conservative judicial nominees on the bench and an almost ironclad agreement for an up or down vote for any of the president's potential Supreme Court nominees in the future. President Bush can now submit his Supreme Court nominee from a position of strength,” added McCabe.
Spending $3.6 million, Progress for America has led the effort with a national and grassroots team in over 15 states to promote an up or down vote on all judicial nominees. Progress for America released 3 national TV ads and a local TV and radio ad in six states (AK, AR, ME, NE, ND and RI) – all of which focused on Judges Owen and Brown deserving an up or down vote in the U.S. Senate.
For interviews or more information, please contact:
Laura Braden Dlugacz at 202-572-6231; e-mail protected from spam bots.
Progress for America, Inc. ("PFA") is a national grassroots organization dedicated to supporting a conservative issue agenda that will benefit all Americans. PFA believes that the U.S. Senate must fulfill their responsibility with judicial nominations and make sure every nominee with majority support receives a timely up-or-down floor vote. For more information or to see any of PFA’s ads, please visit www.UporDownVote.com.
