Patrick Leahy: “Today we are turning to the nomination of Justice Diane Sykes to a seat on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh…”

“Today we are turning to the nomination of Justice Diane Sykes to a seat on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. She has been nominated to a seat which is actually not even vacant yet. Justice Sykes is nominated to replace Judge John Coffey, who has not yet retired. Her confirmation vote today shows how fast the administration is moving to pack the courts, including future vacancies, with its ideological nominees. Justice Sykes comes before us with the support of my colleagues, Senator Kohl and Senator Feingold--two Senators whose opinions I value very much. She also comes before us with a 12-year judicial record--both at the trial court level and with the Supreme Court of her home State of Wisconsin. I have looked closely at her record and although I greatly value the opinion of my colleagues from the State of Wisconsin, I have made my own judgment regarding her fitness for this important lifetime appointment. After reviewing Justice Sykes' written record, I was disturbed by the clear patterns that emerged. I worry that, if confirmed, Justice Sykes will continue to be an activist judge for a lifetime on the Federal bench. For this reason I voted against her nomination in committee and will oppose her confirmation today.”