The Blog of Legal Times reports that Senate Judiciary Committee ranking member, Jeff Sessions (R-AL) cites concern over Hamilton's Indiana House prayer decision in asking for additional time before a committee vote on his nomination to the 7th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals.
The move, led by ranking member Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.), follows a pattern of members of the minority party requesting as much time as possible to review most nominees. The delay is, so far, much shorter than those experienced by some Clinton and Bush nominees. And with the Democrats controlling 59 Senate seats, the three Obama nominees are expected to be confirmed.
The move also delays action scheduled for today on Judge Andre Davis (4th Circuit nominee) and Thomas Perez (Civil Rights Division). The Indianapolis Star has more, including this gem:
Sessions singled out Hamilton's 2005 ruling that prayers said at the start of Indiana state House sessions must not mention Jesus Christ or advance any religion.
"There are some legitimate concerns," Sessions said. "This a complex area of the law, I'll admit, but it's time for the federal court to get their heads straight on proper separation of church and state issues."
