Jesse J Holland

June 08, 2005 | Law.com

The Senate on Tuesday ended a two-year filibuster of Janice Rogers Brown, clearing for final vote her federal appeals court nomination and hewing closely to a historic deal to avert a partisan showdown over judicial filibusters. By a vote of 65 to 32, Brown's nomination for the D.C. Circuit was cleared for a final floor vote, expected today. Because of the deal made, as many as four of President Bush's appeals court nominees could be confirmed before the end of the week.

By Jesse J. Holland

4 minute read

April 26, 2010 | Law.com

The U.S. Supreme Court, wading into a clash between free-speech rights and laws protecting children, agreed today to decide whether California can ban the sale or rental of violent video games to minors. The Court will review the 9th Circuit's decision to throw out California's ban; the federal appeals court said the law violated minors' constitutional rights under the First and 14th Amendments. The law never took effect, and was challenged shortly after it was signed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

By Jesse J. Holland

4 minute read

January 27, 2006 | Law.com

Democratic critics of Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito threatened on Thursday to block a vote on his confirmation, while Republicans countered with a move designed to force his approval by early next week. Sen. Edward M. Kennedy said he and other Democrats had refused to agree to a timetable for ending debate -- but Democratic leader Harry Reid offered no support for Kennedy, John Kerry and others who may be seeking a filibuster in a last stand against Alito's confirmation.

By Jesse J. Holland

4 minute read

July 15, 2005 | Law.com

Four female senators -- two Democrats and two Republicans -- called Thursday for retiring Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor to stay on and try for chief justice if the ailing William Rehnquist relinquishes his spot. The senators' comments follow those by Senate Judiciary Committee leaders, who first publicly stoked speculation about a possible O'Connor candidacy.

By Jesse J. Holland

4 minute read

January 11, 2005 | Law.com

Several major corporations, including one forced into bankruptcy because of asbestos litigation, are opposing a plan by congressional Republicans that would ban asbestos liability lawsuits in exchange for a multibillion-dollar compensation fund. Disharmony between business and Congress would provide a rocky start for legislation to be pushed today in a committee hearing by Senate Judiciary Chairman Arlen Specter.

By Jesse J. Holland

3 minute read

April 01, 2005 | Law.com

House Majority Leader Tom DeLay on Thursday blamed Terri Schiavo's death on what he called a failed legal system, and addressed the idea of trying to impeach some of the federal judges in the case, saying, "The time will come for the men responsible for this to answer for their behavior." Noting that judges in the case had received death threats, Sen. Edward Kennedy said DeLay's comments were "reprehensible," and cautioned DeLay to make sure that people know he is not advocating violence against judges.

By Jesse J. Holland

4 minute read

June 15, 2005 | Law.com

By a 73-24 vote, the Senate on Tuesday confirmed Thomas S. Griffith for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, a seat the Bush Administration was originally eyeing for filibustered lawyer Miguel Estrada. Republicans have called Griffith "an excellent nominee," but Democrats have opposed him, saying his refusal to get a Utah law license should have disqualified him. Griffith is the sixth judge that the Senate has elevated to the federal appeals courts in the last month.

By Jesse J. Holland

3 minute read

March 07, 2005 | The Legal Intelligencer

A North Carolina judge and aide to former Sen. Jesse Helms defended himself Thursday against Democratic accusations that he's unqualified for a federal appeals court seat that's been just beyond his reach for almost 15 years.

By Jesse J. Holland

4 minute read

May 27, 2005 | Law.com

A Senate committee on Thursday approved long-stalled legislation that would shield manufacturers and insurers from asbestos lawsuits. The measure would create a $140 billion trust fund to compensate people sickened by exposure to asbestos, a fibrous mineral commonly used until the mid-1970s in insulation and fireproofing material. Several Republicans on the Judiciary Committee plan to oppose the legislation when it reaches the full Senate.

By Jesse J. Holland

3 minute read

January 12, 2006 | Law.com

By Jesse J. Holland

5 minute read