Herb Kohl: “First, we are experiencing a record slowdown in confirming judges. Last year, only 17 Federal judges were confirmed, and…”

“First, we are experiencing a record slowdown in confirming judges. Last year, only 17 Federal judges were confirmed, and not a single judge for a court of appeals. This year, the process has gotten even worse--only two judges have been confirmed, and the year is almost half over. Indeed, at our current pace, with only 5 judges likely to be confirmed a year, and an average of more than 50 retiring, we would have no federal judges at all in 20 years. Literally, an empty bench. Second, we need these judges, both to prosecute and sentence violent criminals and to prevent more backlogs in civil cases. This is about justice--it shouldn't be about politics. Don't take my word on this, ask Chief Justice Rehnquist. He says ``filling judicial vacancies is crucial to the fair and effective administration of justice.'' Chief Justice Rehnquist is right. Or ask Judge George Kazen from the Southern District of Texas. He is the subject of a front page article in today's Washington Post with the headline ``Cases Pile Up as Judgeships Remain Vacant.''”