Wednesday, November 21, 2001
|
Wednesday, November 21, 2001 |
|
Collins, Cleland clash over nominations By DAVE
HAMRICK
U.S. Rep. Mac Collins, who represents Fayette County, is pushing Sen. Max Cleland for faster action on President George Bush's judicial appointments. Collins, a Republican, is rumored as a possible candidate to unseat Democrat Cleland in the 2002 elections. GOP leaders have made it clear they consider Cleland vulnerable and will target him next year. After a conversation that took place when both were invited aboard Air Force One, Collins wrote Cleland recently urging further Senate action on pending nominees. "It is wrong to hold vital judgeships hostage for political gain," said Collins. "That is what is happening in the Democratically controlled Senate with these confirmation hearings." A spokesman for Cleland told The Citizen that the senator is doing his part. "Sen. Cleland is not delaying a single vote," said Patricia Murphy of Cleland's press office. "He is working very hard to get our own [Georgia] nominees confirmed as soon as possible." Cleland is "very happy with the nominees the White House has sent over," she said, but added that the process sometimes takes longer than anyone likes. Citing specific Georgia judgeships awaiting Senate action, Collins thanked Cleland for responding to a previous letter, but accused the Senate leadership of "political stonewalling." In his letter to Cleland, Collins specifically urged action for the U.S. District Court, Middle District, where two posts serving Columbus and Macon have been vacant for some time. There are currently more than 100 vacancies for federal judgeships with 52 nominees submitted by the White House. In addition, there are more than 30 vacancies for U.S. attorney to seek out and prosecute criminals. "How can the Democrats in the Senate say they are concerned with our national defense and homeland security when they impede some of the most important tools we have for achieving true internal security?" asked Collins. "These U.S. attorneys and judges are our last line of defense in bringing terrorists to justice. We need to stop dallying and get busy for the best interests of Georgia, and our entire nation."
|
||