Duncan Faircloth: “I rise today to vote ``no'' on the nomination of Merrick Garland to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of…”

“I rise today to vote ``no'' on the nomination of Merrick Garland to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. In so voting, I take no position on the personal qualifications of Mr. Garland to be a Federal appeals court judge. What I do take a position on is that the vacant 12th seat on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit does not need to be filled. Senator Chuck Grassley, Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Administrative Oversight and the Courts, has examined this issue thoroughly, and has determined that the court's workload does not justify the existence of the 12th seat. Last Congress, Senator Grassley introduced legislation to abolish this unneeded seat. By proceeding to renominate Mr. Garland, President Clinton has flatly ignored this uncontradicted factual record. I commend Senator Grassley for his important work on this matter, as well as Senator Jeff Sessions, who has also emphasized the importance of this matter. With the Federal deficit at an all time high, we should always be vigilant in looking for all opportunities to cut wasteful Government spending; this is one such opportunity. After all, each unnecessary circuit judge and his or her staff cost the taxpayer at least $1 million a year. Lastly, our vote today is an important precedent, since it marks the beginning of the Senate's new commitment to hold rollcall votes on all judicial nominees.”