Civil Rights Monitor
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The CIVIL RIGHTS MONITOR is a quarterly publication that reports on civil rights issues pending before the three branches of government. The Monitor also provides a historical context within which to assess current civil rights issues. Back issues of the Monitor are available through this site. Browse or search the archives Volume 5 Number 1 FIGHT OVER JUDICIAL NOMINATIONS HEATS UP
The Senate Judiciary Committee by a vote of 9-9 refused to approve a motion to report favorably Daniel Manion's nomination to the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals. However, the Committee did approve a motion to report the nomination without recommendation. On June 26th, the Senate voted 48-46 to approve the nomination. But because of considerable controversy surrounding the vote, opponents immediately moved to reconsider the vote. Such a vote is expected mid-July, after the July 4 recess.
Opposition to Manion has focused on his lack of qualifications and extreme views about the Constitution and role of federal courts. He was given the lowest "passing" rating by the ABA Committee (a minority of whom found even that rating too high), and the Chicago Council of Lawyers found him unqualified because of his lack of federal experience. While he has some experience in the federal courts, it has been as co-counsel on cases not involving important issues of constitutional or public law. By his own admission, he has published no writings on the law, scholarly or otherwise.
Manion has expressed opposition to the application of the Bill of Rights to the states and support of stripping jurisdiction from the Supreme Court as well as lower federal courts. He has also lauded the work of the John Birch Society, and heaped praise on Birch spokesman Larry McDonald for a book which repudiates the function of judicial review of state actions and attacks Supreme Court decisions including Brown v. Board of Education that exercise such review. Manion also cosponsored a bill in the Indiana state legislature to authorize the posting of the Ten Commandments in public schools even though, he admits, he knew the bill was unconstitutional.
William Taylor, Director of the Center for National Policy Review, stated that the Manion vote is very important because it will determine whether the Senate is willing to set standards for judicial nominees that go beyond questions of racism or ethical impropriety - standards that will evaluate a nominee's qualifications, as well as one's understanding and support for the role of the federal judiciary in protecting civil rights in the country.
For more information contact People for the American Way, 1424 16th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036, (202)463-4777; or the Judicial Selection Project, Alliance for Justice, 600 New Jersey Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20001, (202)624-8390.
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