For seven of the past eight years, a seat on the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals has sat vacant. Now it looks like Judge Leslie Southwick may fill that seat.
The Senate Judiciary Committee voted 10-9 this afternoon to let the full Senate vote on the embattled nominee — and a liberal California Democrat made the difference.
For months, Republicans have been trying to get an up-or-down vote on Southwick. Democrats on the committee who opposed the nominee attempted to paint Southwick as a racist, based on a single appeals court decision — out of more than 7,000 — that he didn't even write. But Sen. Dianne Feinstein chastised her colleagues for the unmerited "appellation."
In testimony today, Feinstein told the committee: "I truly believe the concerns outlined about Judge Southwick are outweighed by his service to the country, by the many cases he sat on.
"If I believed he was racist, I wouldn't vote for him. But I don't."
Feinstein joined nine Republicans in voting for Southwick; nine Democrats voted against him. The full Senate could vote Friday. Otherwise, a vote would be taken when the Senate reconvenes in early September.
"Senator Feinstein courageously bucked the party line opposition to Southwick in the Senate Judiciary Committee and gave a thoughtful and lengthy commentary on Southwick's record both as a judge, as a war veteran, and as a person," said Bruce Hausknecht, judicial analyst for Focus on the Family Action.
"I fully anticipate a bipartisan confirmation vote on the floor of the Senate. Although there always exists the possibility of a Democratic filibuster, that type of obstruction would be politically costly."
TAKE ACTION
This is a rare opportunity for conservatives to thank Sen. Dianne Feinstein for doing the right thing. We encourage you — no matter what state you live in — to call her office and thank her for pointing out the unfair tactics of her Democratic colleagues and for voting in favor of the Southwick nomination.
Her Washington office number is (202) 224-3841.
