Schumer will block any Bush SCOTUS nominee between now and 2009

Schumer will block any Bush SCOTUS nominee between now and 2009:


Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) declared that his decision not to lead a successful filibuster in January 2006 of Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito’s nomination was one of his “greatest failings” as a senator.

In an address to liberal legal scholars of the American Constitution Society, Schumer said that after watching the work of the newly constructed “Roberts court” the past 18 months, he would block any future Supreme Court nominee of President Bush’s should a vacancy arise between now and January 2009.

Schumer’s address covered his views on the confirmation processes for Alito and Chief Justice John Roberts. Conservatives have hailed Roberts and Alito for their rulings and generally have said that their confirmations may prove to be the single lasting legacy of President Bush’s second term.

But Schumer and liberals were alarmed by many of the 5-4 rulings that went against their interests, as well as the strong denunciations of the right wing of the court by the elderly liberal wing in its dissents. The Roberts court overturned previous rulings on partial birth abortion and campaign finance reform.