After more than two years in political limbo, judicial nominee Miguel Estrada is ending his bid for appellate court judgeship. Estrada’s decision, to be announced as soon as today, is a small victory for the Feminist Majority and a broad coalition of women’s rights, civil rights, disability rights, labor and environmental groups that have been urging the Senate to block President Bush from stacking the courts with right-wing judges. Since his election, Bush has appointed 19 candidates to the federal circuit court of appeals and 19 are pending for the 24 remaining vacancies.
Bush had been pushing the Senate to approve Miguel Estrada for a place in the federal appeals court in Washington, DC. Following pressure from a coalition of groups, Democrats in seven votes have successfully filibustered efforts to pass the nomination.
In a letter to President Bush explaining his withdrawal, the 41-year-old Honduran immigrant is said to cite family time and attention to his law practice as reasons, according to news sources.
LEARN MORE at Feminist Court Watch
