News

Log Cabin calls on Democrats to stop Estrada filibuster

March 4, 2003

(WASHINGTON, DC) – The Log Cabin Republicans today called for a vote on Miguel Estrada, nominee to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. District.

Mr. Estrada graduated magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa with a bachelor's degree from Columbia College, New York in 1983. After law school, Mr. Estrada served as a law clerk to the Honorable Amalya L. Kearse of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and then clerked for the Honorable Anthony M. Kennedy of the U.S. Supreme Court. From 1990 until 1992, Mr.. Estrada served as Assistant U.S. Attorney. In 1992, he joined the United States Department of Justice as an Assistant to the Solicitor General.

"Senate Democrats don't object to Miguel Estrada on his qualifications, but rather, their objections are political and procedural. These Democrats are abusing their advise and consent role in a purely political attack on this qualified jurist," said Log Cabin Republicans Executive Director Patrick Guerriero.

Senate Democrat leaders filibustered Estrada claiming they needed more information from him. Included in the information they are seeking are memos that Estrada wrote while working the the Solicitor General's office. The White House has refused claiming they are "highly privileged" – a position endorsed by all seven living Solicitors General, including Democrats.

The White House called Democrats bluff last week by asking any doubting Senator to send Estrada written questions and pledged that Estrada would answer them all in "a forthrightly and appropriately" and Estrada offered personal meetings as well. As of late yesterday no one had responded to the request for questions.

"Senate Democrats opposed nominee filibusters under President Clinton. Now, they are holding up our judicial system in a petty political squabble," continued Guerriero.

"It is a dangerous precedent to filibuster nominees based on pure politics and not judicial qualification issues. It is time for this vote. With international uncertainty and economic concerns at home, Democrats are holding hostage the legislative agenda of America," Guerriero concluded.