Bill Clinton: “while I commend my Senate colleagues for their success at averting an unnecessary showdown over the so-called nuclear…”

“while I commend my Senate colleagues for their success at averting an unnecessary showdown over the so-called nuclear option, the fact remains that Justice Priscilla Owen is still ill suited to serve a lifetime appointment on the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. While I voted to invoke cloture on her nomination, this was done in the spirit of compromise and comity. I remain steadfastly opposed to her appointment and note that nothing that has transpired in the last 24 hours has changed her record of judicial activism or extremism, nor has it changed the fact that she consistently and conveniently ignores justice and the rule of law in order to promote a conservative political agenda. For these stated reasons, I cannot vote in favor of her confirmation, and I urge my colleagues to do the same. The American people deserve judges--be they conservative or liberal-- who are dedicated to an evenhanded application of our laws, free of political constraints and considerations. Justice Owen's record is littered with examples that demonstrate a lack of respect for these values. In case after case, Justice Owen shows her willingness to make law from the bench rather than follow the language and intent of the legislature. Justice Owen consistently votes to throw out jury verdicts favoring workers and consumers against corporate interests and dismisses suits brought by workers for job-related injuries, discrimination and unfair employment practices.…”