NOW WE FIND OUT IF RULES REFORM IS FOR REAL

Statement of Nan Aron, president, Alliance for Justice, on the attempt to filibuster the nomination of Caitlin Halligan for the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit

WASHINGTON, D.C., March 4, 2013 – Alliance for Justice President Nan Aron issued the following statement Monday:

This week, we find out if the agreement reached at the start of the current session to reform Senate rules has any real meaning.

Without question, Caitlin Halligan is extraordinarily well qualified for a seat on the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals.   Her nomination has strong bipartisan support.

The fact that a minority of senators could stop a highly-qualified nominee like Caitlin Halligan in 2011 is a classic example of the misuse of the filibuster for partisan gain that has characterized the current Senate minority.  President Obama has renominated Halligan, but Republicans are threatening a filibuster once again. 

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has filed a motion for cloture.   If the motion fails and Republicans succeed in filibustering Halligan for the second time in as many years, it will make clear that the recent agreement to “reform” Senate rules really was no agreement at all, but rather a blank check for continued obstruction.

We urge senators finally to put partisanship and obstruction aside and vote for cloture.

» Click here for much more about Caitlin Halligan and the D.C. Circuit

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Alliance for Justice is a national association of over 100 organizations, representing a broad array of groups committed to progressive values and the creation of an equitable, just, and free society. Through our justice programs, we lead the progressive community in the fight for a fair judiciary, and through our advocacy programs, we help nonprofits and foundations to realize their advocacy potential.