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Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2006

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WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Following today's party-line vote on Samuel Alito in the Judiciary Committee, leading Democratic Senators joined members of the Judiciary Committee to announce that they were united in their intention to vote against his confirmation in the Senate.

Alito failed to demonstrate his independence from the Executive Branch in his hearings. An independent Supreme Court is essential to protecting the Constitution and preserving the system of checks and balances that preserves our Democracy. Ironically, the vote in the Judiciary Committee came on the same day that Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez was speaking about President Bush's warrantless wiretapping program.

"Judge Alito has failed to demonstrate a commitment to the system of checks and balances enshrined in our Constitution," said Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid. "At a time when the president is abusing his power at every turn, I cannot vote to confirm a judge who won't be an independent check on the executive branch."

"The independence of the Court and its members is crucial to our democracy and way of life. The Senate should never be allowed to become a rubber stamp, and neither should the Supreme Court. I asked Judge Alito to demonstrate his independence from the interests of the President, and he failed that test," said Ranking Member Patrick Leahy.

"The vote on Judge Alito's nomination is the vote of a generation," said Senator Ted Kennedy. "The stakes could not be higher. If confirmed, Judge Alito will have vast power in cases affecting basic rights for decades to come, yet sadly we know that the ‘little guy' has a tough time getting a fair shake in Judge Alito's courtroom. ‘Equal Justice Under Law' isn't just a slogan – it's the essence of what we expect in a Supreme Court Justice. Judge Alito just has not shown us that he meets that standard."

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"In the record, the writings, the words, and the life of Samuel Alito, I searched for evidence that he would use his position on the Supreme Court to enlarge our freedom, protect our privacy, and respect the delicate balance of power and responsibility our Constitution creates," said Senator Dick Durbin. "At the end of the day, I cannot say with confidence that Samuel Alito meets that standard."

"Judge Alito has spent 15 years siding with the powerful at the expense of the rights of individuals. He is the wrong choice to replace Sandra Day O'Connor on the Supreme Court, where he could be making decisions impacting the rights of our children and grandchildren for the next 20 to 30 years," said Senator Debbie Stabenow.

"Judge Alito took careful cover in platitudes about the law, with which no nominee who has ever come before the Committee could have disagreed. However, the American people were entitled to honest answers, not practiced platitudes. I expected, and the American people deserved, to hear more," said Senator Chuck Schumer.

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