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Bush Wants Senate to Act Quickly on Nomination

Posted on: Sunday, 15 January 2006, 18:00 CST

By JENNIFER LOVEN

Bush wants Senate to act quickly on nomination

WASHINGTON President Bush urged senators Saturday to quickly approve his choice of Samuel Alito for the Supreme Court, even as Democrats said they would try to delay an initial vote despite the apparent momentum toward his confirmation.

The Senate has a duty to give Judge Alito a prompt up-or-down vote, Bush said in his weekly radio address. America is fortunate to have a man of his intellect and integrity willing to serve, and as a justice on our nations highest court, Sam Alito will make all Americans proud.

Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., said Friday in the waning minutes of Alitos confirmation hearing that unidentified Democrats will exercise their rights to put off next weeks scheduled vote in the Senate Judiciary Committee. Democrats say they wont be ready Tuesday to vote on his nomination since Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid of Nevada has called on party members to hold off making a decision until after a meeting Wednesday.

Bush argued that Alito had acquitted himself well during the hearings. He said the nominees wife, Martha-Ann Bomgardner whose departure from the testy confirmation hearing in tears elicited bipartisan sympathy had exhibited patience and dignity during the process.

The president noted the Senate has confirmed Alito, a 15-year member of the federal 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia, to two previous positions by unanimous consent.

As the American people saw this week, Judge Alito always approaches the law in a thoughtful, fair and open-minded way, Bush said. Throughout his life, Sam Alito has demonstrated a mastery of the law, great decency and a strong commitment to public service.

All 10 Republicans on the Judiciary Committee have announced their support for Alito, a 55-year-old jurist, former prosecutor and Reagan administration lawyer who is Bushs choice to replace retiring Justice Sandra Day OConnor.

Likewise, the Senates 55 Republicans are expected to line up strongly behind Alito.

The 44 Senate Democrats and one independent have been mostly silent about their intentions. Their liberal supporters plan to work senators hard to ensure as many vote against Alito, who they say will be likely to swing the court to the right.

Source: Advocate; Baton Rouge, La.

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