On nomination process: “Every judicial nominee should receive an up-or-down vote in the full Senate, no matter who is President or which party controls the Senate. It is time to move past the partisan politics of the past, and do what is right for the American legal system and the American people.” (Statement, 8/1/03)
Vacancy crisis: “On the Senate side, there is a crucial item of business that has been delayed for too long. We face a vacancy crisis in the federal courts, made worse by senators who block votes on qualified nominees.These delays endanger American justice. Vacant federal benches lead to crowded court dockets, overworked judges, and longer waits for Americans who want their cases heard. Regional appeals courts have a 15 percent vacancy rate, and filings in those courts reached an all time high again last year.” (2/23/03)
On his nominees: “As President, I have the constitutional responsibility to nominate excellent judges. And I take that responsibility seriously. The men and women I have nominated are an historically diverse group, whose character and credentials are impeccable.” (White House, 5/9/03)
On litmus tests: “Voters should assume that I have no litmus test on [abortion] or any other issue. The voters will know I’ll put competent judges on the bench, people who will strictly interpret the Constitution and will not use the bench to write social policy.
I believe in strict constructionists.” (10/3/00)
Through July 2004, had offered 225 judicial nominations to the federal circuit and district courts. Ten nominations have been blocked by filibuster in the U.S. Senate.