While the Senate takes a break this month, the Alliance For Justice is starting a new social media campaign to raise awareness of federal judicial nominees they feel are unfairly being held from confirmation votes because of political fighting.
The liberal group is posting a smiling photo of a nominee and biography every day on its Facebook page in a feature called, "Better Know A Nominee."
"We decided to do it to put a human face on the nominees, and to keep some momentum going" during the summer recess, AFJ President Nan Aron said. "It's mostly to remind people these are real people who shouldn't be used as political pawns."
So far, AFJ has included Rosemary Marquez, whose nomination to the District Court in Arizona is the longest pending before the Senate despite being considered for a spot that is a "judicial emergency." Her nomination has been pending for more than 420 days. Arizona Senators Jon Kyl and John McCain, both Republicans, have blocked Marquez's bid for the spot, one of a dozen judgeships left vacant across the nation this year as senators exercise their long-held power to block judicial nominees in their home states.
Today's nominee is Elissa Cadish, whose nomination appears to have run into a dead end for the same reason. Through his lack of consent, Senator Dean Heller (R-Nev.) has been holding up her nomination.
There are 22 circuit and district court nominees who have been approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee and are awaiting confirmation votes on the Senate floor.
Social media is a great way to promote stuff like this. It is also a great way to connect with the people these nominees will be representing. This could be a great way to get the general public to know them too. Great post!
Posted by: Daytona Court Reporter | August 20, 2012 at 10:26 AM