Hilda L. Solis: “today I rise to denounce the Republican attack on our system of checks and balances that has existed in our country for…”

“today I rise to denounce the Republican attack on our system of checks and balances that has existed in our country for well over 200 years. Led by the Senate majority leader, the Senate Republicans are creating an unnecessary showdown over judicial nominations that will hurt the American public and especially women. The truth is that since President Bush took office, the Senate has confirmed 208 of his judicial nominations and turned back only 10, which is a 95 percent confirmation rate. There are reasons the Democrats are concerned about the judicial nominations. As Chair of the Democratic Women's Working Group, I am concerned about the nominations of Janice Rogers Brown and Priscilla Owen to the circuit court seats. Both these nominees would come to the Federal bench with an agenda to roll back civil rights and labor protections, many of which would affect women and all Americans. We have held these values dear for many decades, and I cannot stand quiet and allow the Senate Republicans to abuse their power. Eliminating the filibuster would destroy the procedures that would protect democracy in this institution. The American public must stand up and be heard. ____________________”