Former Judge Patricia M. Wald Brings Focus on D.C. Circuit Back to Where It Belongs: Justice

Yesterday, the Washington Post published an op-ed by former D.C. Circuit Judge Patricia M. Wald. As Judge Wald put it, in short, “The D.C. Circuit has 11 judgeships but only seven active judges. There is cause for extreme concern that Congress is systematically denying the court the human resources it needs to carry out its weighty mandates.”

The op-ed is worth a read by everyone who cares about the administration of justice in this country, but particularly those who have been following the persistent refusal of the Senate minority to deny an up-or-down vote to Caitlin Halligan, a former clerk of Judge Wald who has been nominated to a seat on the D.C. Circuit vacant since 2005.

Like Judge Wald, we urge those recalcitrant Senators to allow this outstanding nominee a confirmation vote – and vote yes, when that vote happens.