MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2004 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Representative Lott, Akins, Chism, Fillingane, Hamilton (6th), Mayhall, Moore, Rogers (14th)

House Resolution 61

A RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE UNITED STATES SENATORS OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI TO SUPPORT A FLOOR VOTE FOR PRESIDENT BUSH'S JUDICIAL NOMINEES.

     WHEREAS, Article II, Section 2 of the United States Constitution states the President "shall nominate, and by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, shall appoint ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, judges of the Supreme Court, and all other officers of the United States"; and

     WHEREAS, the Administrative Office of the United States Courts has classified 22 judgeships as "judicial emergencies"; and

     WHEREAS, forty-three of President George W. Bush's judicial nominees are pending before the United States Senate; and

     WHEREAS, sixty-three percent of President Bush's Court of Appeals nominations have been to fill seats classified as judicial emergencies; and

     WHEREAS, forty-two percent of President Bush's district court nominations have been to fill seats classified as judicial emergencies; and

     WHEREAS, a minority of senators have used dilatory tactics to prevent a Senate floor vote on six of President Bush's judicial nominees, all of whom were reported favorably by the Committee on the Judiciary; and

     WHEREAS, each of President Bush's judicial nominees reported favorably by the Committee on the Judiciary enjoys the support of a majority of the United States Senate, as is required by the United States Constitution:

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That the House of Representatives requests that our United States senators to work to allow a timely vote on the floor of the United States Senate on all judicial nominations.

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Mississippi's Congressional Delegation and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.