ACLJ Calls Defeat of Liu Nomination "Victory for the Rule of Law"

WASHINGTON, May 19, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), which is active in reviewing judicial nominees - said today's vote in the Senate rejecting the nomination of Goodwin Liu for a seat on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit is "a victory for the rule of law and a sound defeat for judicial activism."

The Senate failed to get the 60 votes it needed to end debate on the nomination of Liu, effectively blocking his confirmation.  Liu had been nominated twice for the appeals court slot by President Obama.

"This is a victory for the rule of law and a sound defeat for judicial activism," said Jay Sekulow, Chief Counsel of the ACLJ.  "We're delighted that most Senators understood that the radical philosophy embraced by Goodwin Liu had no place on a federal appeals court.  The vote reflects the fact that most Senators - and most Americans - want judges who will abide by the Constitution and the rule of law, rather than holding an extreme judicial philosophy that's outside the mainstream of American law.  The vote also underscores the importance of the Senate's constitutional responsibility of providing 'advice and consent' for judicial nominees. This vote should send a signal to President Obama that nominees with a lack of experience and a liberal activist philosophy will not be confirmed."

The ACLJ, which produced an analysis of Liu's judicial philosophy and experience, urged the Senate to reject the nomination.  The ACLJ's analysis of Liu is posted here.

Led by Chief Counsel Jay Sekulow, the ACLJ focuses on constitutional law and is based in Washington, D.C. and is online at www.aclj.org.

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SOURCE American Center for Law and Justice