Judge David Hamilton will testify once again before the Senate Judiciary Committee at the behest of the committee’s Republicans, most of whom refused to attend his first hearing.
Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-VT) isn’t happy. “It has been four weeks since Judge Hamilton first appeared before the Committee, and I am disappointed that Committee Republicans have yet to ask a single question of this nominee,” Leahy said.
Nonetheless, at the request of the Ranking Member, I have invited Judge Hamilton to testify on April 29. Judge Hamilton has the strong support of his home state senators, Senator Lugar and Senator Bayh. After Judge Hamilton appears again before the Committee, I hope Republican members will not further delay our consideration of this qualified judicial nominee.
President Obama tapped Hamilton on March 17 to fill a vacancy on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit, and two weeks later, most members of the committee minority refused to attend the first hearing to consider his nomination.
Among Republican objections to the Indiana jurist is his liberal position on women’s reproductive rights. His supporters note that he’s eminently qualified for the position, and advocates, including at NARAL Pro-Choice America, are pushing hard for his quick confirmation.
Late update: Yesterday Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK) threatened to filibuster Hamilton once his nomination clears the Judiciary Committee. This is the same Inhofe who once said filibustering judicial nominees is unconstitutional. Presumably he’s planning to place a hold on Hamilton, but if the GOP files cloture on his confirmation Democrats will need more than just Lugar on thie side.
