HOUSE JOINT MEMORIAL 42

46th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2004

INTRODUCED BY

Robert White

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THAT UNITED STATES SENATORS FROM NEW MEXICO SUPPORT A FLOOR VOTE FOR PRESIDENT BUSH'S JUDICIAL NOMINEES.

     WHEREAS, Article 2, Section 2 of the United States constitution states that the president "shall nominate, and by and with the advice and consent of the senate, shall appoint ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, judges of the supreme court, and all other officers of the United States"; and

     WHEREAS, the administrative office of the United States courts has classified the need to fill twenty-two judgeships as "judicial emergencies"; and

     WHEREAS, forty-three of President Bush's judicial nominees are pending before the United States senate; and

     WHEREAS, sixty-three percent of President Bush's court of appeals nominations have been to fill seats classified as judicial emergencies; and

     WHEREAS, forty-two percent of President Bush's district court nominations have been to fill seats classified as judicial emergencies; and

     WHEREAS, a minority of senators have used dilatory tactics to prevent a senate floor vote on six of President Bush's judicial nominees, all of whom were reported favorably by the committee on the judiciary; and

     WHEREAS, each of President Bush's judicial nominees reported favorably by the committee on the judiciary enjoys the support of a majority of the United States senate;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the United States senate be requested to allow a timely vote on all judicial nominations; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the state's two United States senators.

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