The ACLJ opposes filibusters of judicial nominees, and presents in-depth information about those filibusters.

Contends that endless filibusters of nominees violate US Senate Rule 31. The historical role of simple-majority advice and consent is also discussed, in relation to checks and balances.

The president renominates people who were not confirmed during his first term. Twelve of the nominees are for appeals courts, and seven of those twelve had been filibustered.

Background information about filibusters and cloture from the U.S. Senate Historian.

Senate Majority Leader Frist states that, at the beginning of each congressional session, a simple majority of senators can set the rules for that session.

Republican leadership in the U.S. Senate is thinking about changing the rules on how filibusters are conducted. Interview with C. Boyden Gray, former White House counsel to George H.W. Bush.

The United States is not the first country to deal with filibusters in its national legislature. One way to cut off debate in the House of Commons is "the guillotine" which is a parliamentary maneuver (not a beheading device).

Article describes attempts to conduct a filibuster within the US Senate Judiciary Committee.

The Committee for Justice is a non-profit corporation with a mission to defend President Bush's judicial nominees by seeking to break the Senate filibuster of judicial nominees and vindicate what it sees as the President's responsibilities under the Constitution.

Provides news and analysis of the judicial confirmation battles in the United States Senate, including weblog. Aims to give every American the opportunity to be heard in Washington.

Latest news in Senate Judiciary Committee Hearings, and a list of judicial nominees yet to be confirmed by the US Senate, from the Center for Individual Freedom.

Entry for "filibuster" in the Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition.

Learn about the origin and definition of the word "filibuster," using an illustrated approach.

Alexander Hamilton wrote that a "majority of the Senate" would be likely to form its opinion about nominees solely based upon merit. Filibusters, however, may allow a minority instead of a majority to defeat nominees.

LBJ nominated Abe Fortas for Chief Justice, but failed to win a majority of the full Senate. Republican Leader Dirksen called for further debate, but Fortas withdrew ostensibly to stop attacks on the Court. Earl Warren therefore stayed on.

Part II of article by Professor Vikram Amar discussing a so-called nuclear option to end filibusters of judicial nominees in the U.S. Senate.

Part I of article by Professor Vikram Amar analyzing the ability of the U.S. Senate to change its filibuster rules by a simple majority vote, instead of by the 2/3 vote specified in Senate Rule 22.

Interview with former Senate Parliamentarian Floyd Riddick regarding cloture and filibusters, including discussion of whether the Senate is a "continuing body."

Martin Gold and Dimple Gupta describe ways for a simple majority of Senators to change the text or interpretation of Senate rules, without being stopped by a filibuster.

Information and opinion about the president's judicial nominations from the liberal group Alliance for Justice, which supports Senate filibusters of some judicial nominees.

Jefferson's political philosophy in his own words. Contains the founding principles of American self-government.

May 6, 2003 U.S. Senate hearing report on filibusters. This is a very large adobe acrobat file.

The National Women's Law Center presents information and arguments in favor of filibustering judicial nominations.

Site supportive of presidential nominations to the judiciary, and opposed to judicial filibusters. Included are numerous quotations and links to newspaper editorials.

George Will recommends that Senate Republicans not amend the Senate's filibuster rules, but he also urges President Bush to renominate previously filibustered judicial nominees.

Democrats launched a political battle against the nomination of a number of federal judges. While some say filibusters are a quintessential feature of democracy at work, others claim that the old stunt has run its course.

Senator Orrin G. Hatch presents a "fair and constitutional option to beat the filibuster game."

Supports a Senate filibuster in the event of a pro-life, anti-choice nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court by President Bush. Their site includes a petition to Senate leadership, and photos of celebrities.

PFAW founder and Hollywood producer Norman Lear says that PFAW will do whatever it can, including support for judicial filibusters, to oppose what it sees as the radical right's manipulation of anxiety and alienation for political gain.

In a letter to Senators Frist and Daschle regarding filibusters, President Bush asked the Senate to take action "to ensure timely up or down votes on judicial nominations both now and in the future, no matter who is President or which party controls the Senate."

Argument for ending filibusters of judicial nominees by employing a tactic previously used by the Senator from West Virginia, Robert Byrd.

Hearing of the U.S. Senate Rules Committee regarding the Senate's filibusters of the president's judicial nominees.

The text of an amendment to U.S. Senate Rule 22 regarding filibusters of judicial nominees. This amendment, approved by the Senate Rules Committee in June of 2003, would make it much easier to overcome filibusters of judicial nominees.

Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania explains his position regarding filibusters of judicial nominees, and regarding the "nuclear option" to change Senate filibuster rules.

A joint committee of the U.S. Congress held extensive hearings in 1993 regarding filibusters, cloture, and whether the Senate rules should be changed.

Former Attorney General Elliot Richardson argued that filibusters of legislation should be eliminated.

A statement by US Senate Majority Leader Frist suggests that the rule governing filibusters (Rule 22) did not entirely carry over to the newly elected Senate, and may no longer be in force.

Describes various strategies to overcome filibusters of judicial nominees in the U.S. Senate, such as a rule change or extending the legislative day.

Letter says the Vice President can decide tied cloture votes regarding executive matters like nominations, because Senate rules do not unmistakeably abrogate that power.

Senate Republicans are criticized for not standing up to defend Miguel Estrada and his nomination to be a federal appeals court judge.

Senator Edward Kennedy's Remarks to the American Constitution Society, Georgetown University Law Center on September 25, 2002 discussing filibusters of judicial nominees, and the forthcoming hearing of Miguel Estrada.

This essay includes a discussion of, essentially, allowing a minority of three supreme court justices to filibuster any attempt by the other justices to strike down a statute.

Statistics and documents related to judicial filibusters, including letter signed by every living former solicitor general regarding the filibuster of Miguel Estrada.

The famous and controversial Senate Rule 22 lays down rules for ending filibusters by invoking cloture.

According to this Supreme Court case, a majority of a legislative body generally speaks for the body. Perpetual filibusters may violate this rule.

Senate Rule 31 governs nominations, and requires that "when a nomination is confirmed or rejected" by the Senate it must be by majority.

Editorial regarding the use of filibusters to defeat judicial nominations.

Letter to editor asserting that 3/5 of Senators "present" should be able to end a filibuster, instead of 3/5 of the full Senate.

Hearing of Senate Subcommittee on the Constitution regarding filibusters of judicial nominations.

Free online encyclopedia provides background about filibusters in the U.S. Senate.