Introduction
The new Albert v. Bryan U.S. District Courthouse in Alexandria, Va. (Photo Credit: Nick Merrick/Hedrich Blessing; Courtesy of Spillis Candela & Partners, Inc.)
|
Conservative groups and some Republican lawmakers charge that many federal judges are “judicial activists” who issue liberal rulings based on their personal views rather than the law. The critics also accuse President Clinton of appointing activist judges and have tried to block confirmation of some of his nominees. Most legal experts, however, say that Clinton's judicial selections have been mostly moderates. And so far, the Republican-controlled Senate has not rejected any of Clinton's choices for the federal bench. But liberal lawmakers and advocacy groups say that delays in the confirmation process are creating a “vacancy crisis” in some courts that is causing problems for litigants. And they warn that the attacks on federal judges are threatening the independence of the judiciary.
|
|
