Bush Judicial Nominee Estrada Withdraws After Sustained Democrat Filibusters

WASHINGTON, September 5, 2003 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Another pro-life judicial nominee of President George W. Bush has withdrawn after a more than two year battle to confirm his nomination to the United States Court of Appeal.  Miguel Estrada of Virginia, wrote Bush to say “I believe that the time has come to return my full attention to the practice of law and to regain the ability to make long-term plans for my family.”  President Bush commented on his acceptance of the withdrawal saying it was done “with regret”, but that he understood and respected Estrada’s decision.  Bush also slammed the Democrats saying, “Mr. Estrada received disgraceful treatment at the hands of 45 United States Senators during the more than two years his nomination was pending. Despite his superb qualifications and the wide bipartisan support for his nomination, these Democrat Senators repeatedly blocked an up-or-down vote that would have led to Mr. Estrada’s confirmation. The treatment of this fine man is an unfortunate chapter in the Senate’s history.”  Senators Ted Kennedy and Hilary Clinton are seen as primarily responsible for the debacle.  See the Bush’s comment from the White House:  https://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/09/20030904-2.html