CWA Argues that Judge Southwick Should be Confirmed

Washington, D.C. — Judge Leslie Southwick’s confirmation has been stalled by some Senators who are putting partisan politics ahead of the good of the American people. Wendy Wright, President of Concerned Women for America (CWA), made a statement today at a press conference on Capitol Hill sponsored by Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pennsylvania):

“While some senators play politics and obstruct Judge Leslie Southwick’s nomination by stalling and procrastinating, people with real problems and cases pending suffer the consequences.

“Justice delayed can be justice denied. Litigation is expensive and prolonged enough as it is. Not having enough judges to handle the caseload adds to the problem. Right now, the Fifth Circuit — to which Judge Southwick is nominated — has three vacancies that are considered judicial emergencies and that have been pending for a combined 1,438 days. That’s almost four years. Three judges could decide a lot of cases in that amount of time.

“However, some Senators apparently are more concerned about the demands of liberal special interest groups than about the effect their actions have on the people they represent. Concerned Women for America (CWA) is committed to identifying the obstructionist Senators and informing our members, who are voting constituents, so they can spread the word to other constituents.

“No longer will a Senator be able to hide behind anonymity while frustrating the will of the people.

“Judge Southwick is a highly respected jurist with an impeccable record. He is an American hero who served on the bench and in Iraq. In attempting to smear his good name, liberal groups and Senators have exposed their true intent. By criticizing a mere two rulings out of over 6,000 that he decided, his critics revealed that they will be satisfied only with judges that rule according to political correctness, not according to the Constitution and the law. They prefer judges who would ignore the laws they do not like in order to carry out their special interests’ demands. To his credit, Judge Southwick, as an originalist, does not fit their dangerous mold.

“CWA is asking all Senators to call for a vote on Judge Southwick. If a Senator does not like the nominee, he can vote “no,” but he should vote. It is time to stop playing political games with judicial nominations and get down to business. Americans deserve no less.”