On the recordMay 3, 2005
since 2003 Senate Democrats have filibustered or threatened to filibuster ten of the President's circuit court nominees. This is unprecedented. Some believe that applying the filibuster to judicial nominations is a long and revered Senate tradition. Not so. Never before has a judicial nominee with clear majority support been denied an up or down vote on the Senate floor. Not until Miguel Estrada's nomination in 2003 has a judicial nominee with clear majority support been blocked by a filibuster. Fairness in the justice system begins with the confirmation of capable judges. Each time a nominee is denied a vote, the American people are denied justice. The American people deserve better. It is time for every judicial nominee to receive an up or down vote. Remember, never before has a judicial nominee with clear majority support been denied an up or down vote on the Senate floor. ____________________
Source
govinfo.gov
