Republicans block (another) nominee to key appeals court

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

Republicans block nominee to key appeals court

AP foreign, Tuesday November 19 2013

HENRY C. JACKSON

Associated Press= WASHINGTON (AP) - Senate Republicans on Monday blocked President Barack Obama's nomination of Robert L. Wilkins to a key appellate court, continuing a nomination fight that has stoked partisan tensions in the Senate.

Wilkins, a District Court judge in Washington who in 2010 was confirmed by the Senate on a voice vote, was nominated to fill one of three vacancies on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. He is the third straight nominee to the powerful court that Republicans have stopped from being seated.

The Senate voted 53-38 in favor of ending Republican-led delays, falling short of the 60 votes required to advance Wilkins' nomination. Republican Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine voted with Democrats to end debate.

The Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia is often referred to as the second most powerful court in the country, after the Supreme Court. Informally known as the D.C. circuit, the court's influence stems from its caseload - it rules on administration orders and regulations - and because some of its judges become Supreme Court justices. The D.C. circuit currently has eight active judges evenly divided between Democratic and Republican nominees.

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Read more: http://www.theguardian.com/world/feedarticle/11072778

[msongs]

1. democrats allow republicans to block another nominee to key appeals court nt

[Blue Idaho]

2. Enough already - shit can the filibuster... NOW!

Democrats never use it and Teapublicans abuse it. It lost any value it hod over a decade ago so stick a fork in it - it's done.

[dmosh42]

3. The minority runs country thanks to spineless Dems!

[kairos12]

4. Break the filibuster now because the rethugs will do it when they control the Senate