Litigation

Texas Senator Issues Warning to White House Over Nominations

By Jason Barrett

A judicial war of words is brewing between the U.S. senators from Texas and the Obama White House.

CQ Politics reports that Sen. John Cornyn has stated in plain words that if the White House does not give his and Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchinson’s judicial recommendations their due attention, there will be repercussions.  The two Texas senators have been consulting a judicial nominating committee made up primarily of Texas attorneys to screen U.S. attorney, U.S. marshal and federal judge nominees.

“It’s not my intention to make threats or pick a fight,” Sen. Cornyn said.  But if the senators’ suggestions are not considered, the withholding of blue slips is “certainly always an option.”

The strong words stem from an article in the Dallas Morning News, in which it is reported that the White House will be rely on the state’s Congressional delegation for recommendations.  The Congressional delegation is made up of 19 Republicans and 13 Democrats.  Sens. Cornyn and Hutchinson are both Republicans.

The White House issued a statement saying that no nominee would be confirmed without the approval of the Texas Democratic delegation, but the recommendations of the two senators from Texas would still be afforded an opportunity to share their views.

Full post as published by The Gavel on April 28, 2009 (boomark / email).