Christian leaders not happy with filibuster compromise

Washington D.C., May 23, 2005 / 22:00 pm

The Family Research Council is among numerous groups around the country expressing their distaste for a compromise, which will allow only three of President Bush’s filibustered judicial nominees to receive an up or down vote.

“There is no room for compromise in the senate regarding judicial filibusters,” the Family Research Council’s website said today. “The judicial filibuster is unfair, unfounded and unconstitutional. Concession is not an option.”

Under the new deal, nominees, Priscilla Owen, Janice Rogers Brown and William Pryor will receive a Senate vote on their potential judicial appointments while there will remain “no commitment” to vote on nominees Henry Saad and William Myers.

Some Senate democrats claim that the nominees’ views on certain issues were too extreme, while supporters argue that opponents were blocking them for their religious and pro-life stances.

Rev. Patrick J. Mahoney, Director of the Christian Coalition, says that he thinks the compromise to end judicial filibusters is a "betrayal of the democratic process and a failure of leadership."

"With this compromise,” he said, “the Senate has shown they are more interested in preserving their traditions and rules than addressing pressing issues such as judicial activism and allowing votes on federal judicial nominees. This deal will satisfy no one but Senate members who will pat themselves on the back for a job well done."

Reverend Rob Schneck, president of the National Clergy Council also expressed grave doubts about the compromise, saying, "We believe that Democrats can't be trusted on this and they can still block the President's nominees, especially for the Supreme Court. We consider this an unacceptable resolution."

Dr. James Dobson, head of  Focus on the Family, went so far as to call the compromise a “complete betrayal.”

"This Senate agreement represents a complete bailout and betrayal by a cabal of Republicans and a great victory for united Democrats. Only three of President Bush's nominees will be given the courtesy of an up-or-down vote, and it's business as usual for all the rest. The rules that blocked conservative nominees remain in effect, and nothing of significance has changed.”