Harry Reid

In what is hopefully only a first step, Senator Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) threw down the gauntlet at Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's (D-Nev.) shuffling feet yesterday after Senate Democrats, once again, failed to keep their word on moving President Bush's judicial nominees--some of whom have languished in limbo for years.

At the beginning of the 110th Congress the Senate Democratic leadership promised to at least match the average of 17 circuit court nominees that have been confirmed in prior Congresses. Instead, Senate Democrats, led by Reid and Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), have done everything in their power to delay the process. This time around, Senator Reid promised that at least three nominees would be confirmed by Memorial Day; however, that holiday came and went with only one nominee approved. In response Senator McConnell used Senate procedure to temporarily delay the disastrous global warming cap and tax bill currently being debated on the Senate floor. We hope this is a precursor to even bolder action.