Just in from
Reuters:
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Arlen Specter said on Thursday it was unclear whether he could avoid a possible Democratic delay and get his panel to vote on Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito on January 17 as planned.
It seems that anyone on the Judiciary Committee can delay the process for a week.
Who do you think might be plotting this and what can we do to support them in this?
Any member of the Republican-led panel has a right to delay a committee vote for a week. Democrats said no decision had been on whether to do so but it has always been an option.
Specter's committee is to begin its confirmation hearing on Alito on Monday. President George W. Bush nominated him to replace retiring Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, who often has been the swing vote on the nine-member court on social issues.
The longer we can keep O'Connor on the bench, the better chance we have on some important rulings including Ayotte v. Planned Parenthood.
So what could we do with that week?
Some suggestions:
Hold hearings on Wiretapping
Convene an Ethics Panel
Propose a clean up Congress plan
I'm sure there are many creative suggestions out there . . . chime in.