FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 18, 2001
Contact: Larry West,
Jennifer Crider
202-224-3441
Senator
Cantwell’s Statement on Judicial Selection and Environmental Policy
“I want to thank the organizations represented
here today – the Alliance for Justice, Natural Resources Defense
Council, Earthjustice Legal Defense Fund and Community Rights
Counsel – for highlighting a vitally important issue that
too rarely gets the attention it deserves: the impact of judicial
selection on environmental policy and our ability to manage
our natural resources.
“People often have the impression that
the selection of judges is far removed from their day-to-day
lives. Nothing
could be further from the truth.
The decisions made by federal judges affect us in ways
we may not immediately recognize but they are profound.
Federal judges interpret and enforce laws governing
the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the land on which
we build our homes and schools.
“As a Senator and a member of the Judiciary
Committee, it is my responsibility to advise and consent on nominees to
federal courts. I take that
responsibility very seriously. While
I recognize the President’s privilege to select his nominees, I believe
it is critical that the Senate conduct a comprehensive evaluation of each
nominee, since federal court judges are appointed for life and charged
with interpreting our nation’s laws fairly and without regard for their
personal ideology.
“I
will be seeking to evaluate each nominees demonstrated legal
analytical skills, professional ethics and integrity, ability
to distinguish personal beliefs from legal issues before the
court, understanding of the diversity of peoples and experiences
in our country, and overall fairness. I
believe it is critical that any judge who sits on a federal
court uphold the rights guaranteed by our Constitution.
“While I believe federal court nominee’s
are entitled to move through the confirmation process in a
timely manner, I am committed to a thorough review of court
nominees’ qualifications and record before they take their
seat on our nation’s courts.
“Decisions
about environmental laws are critical to our ability to be good
environmental stewards and to manage our natural resources responsibly.
We must have fair and thoughtful judges making these decisions.”
###
To read Senator Edward Kennedy's
(MA) press statement on this issue, click
here.
To read Senator Russ Feingold's
(WI) press statement on this issue, click
here.
To read the full report in
PDF version, click here.
To go back
to the main page of the report, click
here.
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