Senate Republicans set the stage Thursday for a battle over the right of Democrats to block President Bush’s judicial nominees, but they tried to ease the escalating tension over the issue with a letter saying they are open to compromise.
On a 10-8 party line vote, the Senate Judiciary Committee approved the nomination of William Myers to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, paving the way for debate on the Senate floor–and a threatened showdown over filibustering.
But late in the day, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) wrote Democratic leader Harry Reid of Nevada saying he would soon offer a proposal “that takes account of complaints both parties have had with the confirmation process.”
Frist offered no specifics but said he would release details after Congress returns from its Easter recess on April 4. Reid quickly responded with a statement welcoming Frist’s “more constructive approach.”
More Top Picks Why Fluorescent Lights Make Irlen Syndrome Worse
Bush has asserted that his nominees have a right to an up-or-down vote on the Senate floor. Frist has said he may attempt to change Senate rules so that debate could be ended with a simple majority 51 votes. Republicans currently control the Senate by a 55-45 vote.
A move changing rules on filibuster is such a volatile topic in the Senate it is known as “the nuclear option.” Earlier this week, Reid threatened to block virtually all business in the chamber if the Republicans implement Frist’s plan.
At Thursday’s Judiciary Committee hearing, Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), who has been an outspoken opponent of Myers, said he feared that the nomination “is likely to be used as the trigger to institute the nuclear option.”
Myers, whose record on environmental issues has alarmed Senate Democrats, is among appellate court candidates renominated by Bush after being blocked previously by filibuster.
A long-time lobbyist for the mining and cattle industries, Myers, 49, served as the Interior Department’s top lawyer during the first two years of the Bush administration. His judicial nomination failed in the full Senate when Republicans could not get the necessary 60 votes to end debate. He garnered 53 votes.
Virtually every major environmental organization in the nation opposes Myers’ nomination, along with civil rights, labor and Indian groups. His backers assert that he would bring “balance”‘ to the San Francisco-based 9th Circuit, which considers many key environmental cases.
Myers was defended by the committee chairman, Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.), who said “you can find some faults” with his record but “the totality is very good.”