[News-releases] NOW Supports Vigorous Debate on Estrada Nomination

NOW Press Office
202-628-8669 Rebecca Farmer, x 116
202-785-8576 (fax) 

NOW Supports Vigorous Debate on Estrada Nomination

February 13, 2003

"Women's rights supporters across the country applaud Senate Democrats for
their continued vigorous debate on the nomination of Miguel Estrada," said
National Organization for Women (NOW) President Kim Gandy. Estrada is a
controversial nominee for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, the
second most powerful court in the country. He is backed by ultraconservatives
and staunchly opposed by NOW and other advocates for an independent judiciary.

"Democratic Senators are successfully resisting the efforts to steamroll
questions about Estrada's nomination and his ability to rule without bias,"
Gandy said. "Feminists support senators' commitment to pressing for the
answers
to lingering questions about this stealth nominee."

"Meanwhile, extremists in the Senate and the White House have blasted attempts
to uncover Estrada's judicial philosophy and opinions on important
constitutional issues. Estrada has refused to fully answer questions posed to
him at his confirmation hearing as well as the written requests from senators
following the hearing," Gandy said. "Perhaps the real issue is that the White
House knows that digging deeper into Estrada's record would ensure the
rejection of his nomination. Who is Miguel Estrada and why won't he come
clean?" 

"Senate Democrats requested access to internal Justice Department memoranda
written by Estrada. The Washington Post reported that the White House
'emphatically rejected' this request," Gandy said. "What are they afraid of?"

"NOW thanks the senators who take seriously their advice and consent power,
and
who have continued the vigorous debate on Miguel Estrada," Gandy said.
"Returning a sense of justice and fairness to the nomination process for
judicial nominees is crucial to upholding democracy in this country." 

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