NWLC Applauds Senators' Insistence on Informed "Advise and Consent"

For immediate release: February 11, 2003 Contact: Margot Friedman or Camden Richards at 202-588-5180

NWLC Applauds Senators' Insistence on Informed "Advise and Consent"

Statement of Marcia D. Greenberger, Co-President, National Women's Law Center

The National Women's Law Center applauds those in the U.S. Senate who have concluded that in light of Miguel Estrada's refusal to inform the Senate about his views on important areas of the law, he should not be confirmed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.

Senators cannot carry out their constitutional duty to give "advise and consent" to federal judicial nominations if they are not informed of a nominee's views on important legal issues. Mr. Estrada's refusal to disclose his views, and the Justice Department's refusal to provide the Senate with documents that would shed light on those views, make it impossible for the Senate to properly discharge its constitutional responsibility. The Center therefore agrees with Sen. Daschle and others in the Senate who have announced their determination to oppose this nomination in the absence of a more complete record.

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