"The president appoints officials who will help him carry out his agenda. In this case, the president's agenda includes affirmative action -- policies which open up opportunity to women and people of color who might not otherwise have a shot," Ireland said. "Is Orrin Hatch going to refuse every Clinton nominee for this position?" she asked.

NOW's efforts on behalf of Lee's nomination include both inside-the-Beltway methods and grass roots-organizing techniques. Representing NOW's 250,000 members, Ireland wrote a letter to members of the Judiciary Committee highlighting Lee's strong credentials and urging the Committee to recommend confirmation.

In addition, a message to contact Senate Judiciary Committee members went out over the organization's electronic Action Alert system that reaches over 4,000 activists via email. NOW's 500 chapters also received a notice in the monthly Legislative Update.

Anna-Maria Straight, Utah NOW President criticized her home state's senator: "I am embarrassed that the senior senator from my state is playing this ridiculous political game with such an important position."

"The longer senators bicker and take potshots at Lee's record, the longer serious issues of equality go unaddressed. Maybe this Judiciary Committee is just not interested in equal opportunity and not in any rush to confirm a civil rights nominee," Ireland said.

• Ten Reasons to approve Bill Lann Lee's Nomination as Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights