Jesse J Holland

July 27, 2005 | Law.com

Risking a showdown, the White House said Tuesday it won't release documents that Supreme Court nominee John Roberts prepared while working on cases to argue before the Court on the first Bush administration's behalf, saying many such documents are subject to lawyer-client privilege. The Judiciary Committe's top Democrat, Patrick Leahy, responded that if the White House meant to "unilaterally pre-empt a discussion about documents the Senate may need and is entitled to, then this is a regrettable beginning."

By Jesse J. Holland

5 minute read

November 18, 2004 | The Legal Intelligencer

Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania picked up fresh support yesterday in his bid to become Judiciary Committee chairman as he prepared to make his case to Republican senators worried about whether he'll support President Bush's judicial nominees.

By Jesse J. Holland

4 minute read

July 27, 2005 | National Law Journal

Risking a showdown, the White House said Tuesday it won't release documents that Supreme Court nominee John Roberts prepared while working on cases to argue before the Court on the first Bush administration's behalf, saying many such documents are subject to lawyer-client privilege. The Judiciary Committe's top Democrat, Patrick Leahy, responded that if the White House meant to "unilaterally pre-empt a discussion about documents the Senate may need and is entitled to, then this is a regrettable beginning."

By Jesse J. Holland

5 minute read

November 18, 2009 | National Law Journal

Since becoming the first Hispanic U.S. Supreme Court justice, Sonia Sotomayor has mamboed with movie stars, exchanged smooches with musicians at the White House and thrown out the first pitch for her beloved New York Yankees. A famous jazz composer even wrote a song about her: "Wise Latina Woman." Few Americans can name most of the justices, but Sotomayor has become a celebrity -- all without having made a single major decision at the nation's highest court.

By Jesse J. Holland

6 minute read

July 28, 2005 | Law.com

Democrats gave no ground Wednesday on their demands for more of Supreme Court nominee John Roberts' legal documents, saying the limited release by the White House could delay a confirmation vote. And top Judiciary Democrat Patrick Leahy said he would vote against Roberts if he found the nominee to have an "activist" agenda. Meanwhile, Republicans say the minority Democrats are stalling in hopes they can find something in Roberts' documents that can be used against him in the confirmation hearings.

By Jesse J. Holland

5 minute read

October 05, 2005 | National Law Journal

While senior Sen. Orrin Hatch offered unconditional support Tuesday to Supreme Court nominee Harriet Miers, the conservative National Review called the nomination a "missed opportunity." Facing criticism from conservatives disappointed by his father's choice of Justice David Souter, who has become one of the most liberal members of the Court, President Bush insisted Tuesday that Miers was a strict constructionist and a conservative who would stay that way.

By Jesse J. Holland

5 minute read

June 26, 2001 | Law.com

A Democratic chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee said President Bush's judicial nominees should be grilled openly about controversial issues because senators privately consider those views anyway. Republicans countered that Democrats are simply looking for excuses to nix the president's choices.

By Jesse J. Holland

3 minute read

December 20, 2005 | Law.com

Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito will have to answer questions about how he views the president's powers in the war on terror, senators said Monday after the White House defended its orders of warrantless domestic spying. Senate Judiciary Chairman Arlen Specter, R-Pa., and ranking Judiciary Democrat Patrick Leahy of Vermont sent separate letters to Alito listing specific questions they would ask him concerning the issue at his confirmation hearings beginning Jan. 9.

By Jesse J. Holland

3 minute read

January 27, 2006 | National Law Journal

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

May 11, 2005 | Law.com

Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid accused President Bush on Tuesday of steamrolling the Senate in preparation for a Supreme Court vacancy. "This fight is not about the seven radical nominations; it's about clearing the way for a Supreme Court nominee who only needs 51 votes -- not 60," said Reid. "They want a Clarence Thomas -- not a Sandra Day O'Connor or an Anthony Kennedy or a David Souter." Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist said a filibuster showdown over nominations could come by next week.

By Jesse J. Holland

5 minute read