2.16.2005
Judicial Nominee Criticized (WashingtonPost.com)
Actions at Interior Dept. Questioned by Inspector General
By Charles Babington
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, February 16, 2005; Page A04
The Interior Department's inspector general has criticized the actions of a judicial nominee who is seen by some Republicans as the best hope of breaking Senate Democrats' long-standing resistance to some of President Bush's choices for federal judgeships.
The judicial nominee, former Interior Department solicitor William G. Myers III, bypassed normal procedures in dealing with a Wyoming rancher who repeatedly violated federal grazing laws, according to a letter from the inspector general.
Opponents of Myers's nomination -- one of several filibustered by Democrats last year -- say the complaint adds new arguments against the appointee. Yesterday, they urged senators to look into the complaint during a Judiciary Committee hearing to be held in about two weeks.
Myers is an Idaho-based lawyer whom Bush has tapped for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit. Last July, Senate Republicans did not get the 60 votes needed to stop a filibuster led by Democrats, who criticized Myers's environmental record.
(More ... Judicial Nominee Criticized (washingtonpost.com)) ¶ 23:34
By Charles Babington
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, February 16, 2005; Page A04
The Interior Department's inspector general has criticized the actions of a judicial nominee who is seen by some Republicans as the best hope of breaking Senate Democrats' long-standing resistance to some of President Bush's choices for federal judgeships.
The judicial nominee, former Interior Department solicitor William G. Myers III, bypassed normal procedures in dealing with a Wyoming rancher who repeatedly violated federal grazing laws, according to a letter from the inspector general.
Opponents of Myers's nomination -- one of several filibustered by Democrats last year -- say the complaint adds new arguments against the appointee. Yesterday, they urged senators to look into the complaint during a Judiciary Committee hearing to be held in about two weeks.
Myers is an Idaho-based lawyer whom Bush has tapped for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit. Last July, Senate Republicans did not get the 60 votes needed to stop a filibuster led by Democrats, who criticized Myers's environmental record.
(More ... Judicial Nominee Criticized (washingtonpost.com)) ¶ 23:34
