"Uncertainty in the courts doesn't promote order" (See: Saturday online) accurately describes Chief Justice John Roberts' Year End Report on the Federal Judiciary, particularly his stress on the 27 judicial openings that are " emergencies" and the critical need for the executive and legislative branches to promptly nominate and confirm "highly qualified candidates to fill those vacancies."
The judiciary currently experiences more than 80 openings on appellate and district courts. Last week, President Barack Obama responded to Roberts's pleas by re-nominating all 33 nominees he had proposed earlier.However, the White House has yet to nominate anyone for the seven Texas vacancies, six of which are emergencies, partly because Sens. Kay Bailey Hutchison and John Cornyn, both Republicans, did not recommend nominees to the White House for the openings. Therefore, the new Senate, especially Cornyn and new Sen. Ted Cruz, also a Republican, must cooperate with Obama to fill the openings, so the judiciary can deliver justice.-- Carl Tobias, Richmond, VaHave more to add? News tip? Tell us
