[News-releases] NOW Urges Senate to Block Owen Nomination: TheSequel

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

NOW Urges Senate to Block Owen Nomination: The Sequel

May 1, 2003

"Today, Senate Democrats have taken the first step to block another extremist
Bush judicial nominee," said National Organization for Women (NOW) President
Kim Gandy. "Texas Supreme Court Justice Priscilla Owen was rejected in 2002 --
but Bush put her nomination forward again in blatant disregard of the Senate's
advice and consent role."

"We've seen Judge Owen use the courtroom to further her narrow beliefs and
ideals, going so far as to virtually re-write laws rather than fairly
interpret
them," Gandy said. "The last thing the Fifth Circuit needs is more judges who
can't leave their political ideologies at the door." For example, Owen
supports
"stricter interpretation" of the state law that Bush signed requiring women
younger than 18 to inform their parents before obtaining an abortion. 

"Owen's penchant for judicial activism may have earned her two nominations
from
Bush, but it should not win her a seat on the Court of Appeals," Gandy said.
"No matter how many times Bush nominates her, Priscilla Owen continues to be
unfit for a lifetime seat on the court that is only one step below the Supreme
Court." 

"NOW thanks those senators who have held strong in their commitment to oppose
unworthy Bush nominees," Gandy said. "Women's right supporters across the
country encourage senators to continue taking their advice and consent power
very seriously. The nomination of Priscilla Owen must not be approved by the
full Senate." 

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