The nomination of Richard Taranto to the Federal Circuit as well as the nominations of other judges were on the schedule of the Senate Judiciary Committee for March 22nd, 2012; but, discussion of those nominations had to be held over for a later date when not enough senators showed up for the meeting. Senator Leahy characterized the lack of attendance by Republican senators as a boycott. Ranking member Grassley was in attendance and stated that there was no reason that he knew of for a boycott and objected to characterizing the lack of attendance as a boycott.
There is some sense that judicial nominations are growing as a political issue in this election year. So, it will be interesting to see how Mr. Taranto’s nomination is affected in the upcoming months.
Results of Executive Business Meeting – March 22, 2012The Senate Judiciary Committee held an executive business meeting to consider pending nominations and legislation on March 22, 2012.Agenda
I. Nominations
Richard Gary Taranto, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Federal Circuit
Held OverRobin S. Rosenbaum, to be United States District Judge for the Southern District of Florida
Held OverGershwin A. Drain, to be United States District Judge for the Eastern District of Michigan
Held OverGregory Keith Davis, to be United States Attorney for the Southern District of Mississippi
Held Over
II. Bills
S.2159, A bill to extend the authorization of the Drug-Free Communities Support Program through fiscal year 2017 (Leahy, Grassley, Feinstein)
Held Over