Hatch Speaks in Support of Judge Conrad's Nomination to the 4th Circuit
Press Release
HATCH SPEAKS IN SUPPORT OF JUDGE CONRAD'S NOMINATION TO THE 4TH CIRCUIT
Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) joined Senate colleagues and others today in voicing support for Fourth Circuit Court nominee Judge Robert Conrad Jr.
Hatch called on Senate Democrats to get moving in approving President Bush's judicial nominees. He said moving forward on Conrad's hearing and confirmation would be a good start.
The Fourth Circuit Court hears appeals from district courts in Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland and South Carolina.
Sen. Orrin Hatch's statement on Judge Conrad follows:
I am glad to support this fine nominee and appreciate the chance to be with you today.
This seat on the Fourth Circuit has been vacant since 1994.
The previous President's nominees to this vacancy did not get a hearing because their home-state Senators did not support them. Thankfully, this confirmation obstacle no longer exists.
Judge Conrad has the strong support of both distinguished Senators from North Carolina.
In fact, he has the strong support of the United States Senate, which unanimously confirmed him to the federal bench just three years ago. He has the strong support of the American Bar Association, which has given him its highest rating.
And as we can see here today, Judge Conrad has strong support far beyond that as well.
But time is running out and the Senate has not made much confirmation progress.
Compared to the previous seven Congresses that included a presidential election year, we are 87 percent finished with our time in session.
But compared to those Congresses, only 32 percent as many appeals court nominees have had a hearing and only 46 percent as many have been confirmed.
That is not enough to fulfill our responsibility to the judiciary or to the American people.
We can begin to catch up by supporting Judge Conrad.
The people of the Fourth Circuit and America need judges of character and integrity who understand how the judiciary properly fits into our system of government.
Judge Conrad deserves a hearing and confirmation so he can bring his experience and fairness to the appeals court.
Thank you again for letting me be here today.
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