Estrada Nomination Moves to Full Senate
Feature Story by civilrights.org staff - 2/5/2003
To the dismay of numerous civil rights organizations, the Senate Judiciary Committee voted 10-9 January 30th to send the nomination of Miguel Estrada to the full Senate for a vote. Estrada has been nominated to sit on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, an extremely influential position, as this court is often considered to be the second most powerful in the nation, and one-third of the current Supreme Court was elevated from the DC court. The Senate vote could come as early as February 7, however, since the Senate rarely votes on Friday, it will likely come sometime the following week.The Leadership Conference on Civil Rights (LCCR), the nation's oldest, largest, and most diverse civil rights and human rights coalition, remains vehemently opposed to the confirmation of Estrada. LCCR Executive Director Wade Henderson called Estrada the "don't ask, don't tell" nominee because of his refusal to state his positions on crucial issues during his hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Because of the importance of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, it is especially vital that the American public be fully informed of Estrada's positions and beliefs.
In a letter to the Senate Judiciary Committee, the LCCR charged that Estrada's slim legal trail is "troublesome" and "raises serious questions about his commitment to equal justice and civil rights for all Americans."
People For the American Way (PFAW), an LCCR member organization, is leading an impressive grassroots initiative to block the nomination. PFAW is asking Senators to filibuster the nomination when it comes up for a vote. Through this campaign, citizens have sent over 15,000 faxes to their Senators protesting the nomination of Estrada.
This public input may well prove to be a deciding factor in the battle over Estrada. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) cited this kind of outpouring of public sentiment as a motivating factor in her vote against Estrada in the Senate Judiciary Committee.
