Maria Cantwell: “Federal judges serve lifetime terms, and are responsible for interpreting our Constitution, and our laws, in ways that…”

“Federal judges serve lifetime terms, and are responsible for interpreting our Constitution, and our laws, in ways that have real implications for the rights of regular Americans. Last year I joined my colleagues on the Judiciary Committee in voting not to report the nomination elevating Federal District Court Judge Charles Pickering to the Circuit Court of Appeals to the Senate floor. I stand by that vote. I continue to have very real concerns about Judge Pickering's ability to be a fair and neutral Court of Appeals judge. In evaluating judicial nominations, among the factors I consider are whether the nominee demonstrates the highest level of professional ethics and integrity, and has the ability to distinguish between personal beliefs and interpreting the law. Unfortunately, I believe Judge Pickering falls short in meeting these criteria. Judge Pickering is an honorable person, but he is simply the wrong person to fill this very important position. Like my colleagues, I am troubled by Judge Pickering's handling of the case of United States v. Swan, where a white defendant was tried for burning a cross on the lawn of an interracial couple. Judge Pickering had multiple ex parte conversations with prosecutors and Justice Department officials in an effort to reduce the sentence of Mr. Swan. In doing so, Judge Pickering seems to have lost sight of the ethical limitations on his actions, and the extent to which he was failing to maintain judicial independence.”