03/16/05 Myers could get a vote afterall

Senate Democrats are already digging in their heels and will oppose Bill Myers nomination to the US Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Environmentalists and Native American groups have expressed dismay that President Bush nominated Myers again this year after so much controversy about him last year. Senator Larry Craig supports Myers and says its time that the Senate takes a vote, up or down, on Myers and other judicial nominees. CRAIG "Until we get an agreement with the democrats or we change the rules of the Senate, either one will happen, I don't know which one will happen first Bill Myers will probably be filibustered up until that time." The Senate rules allow for a filibuster and it takes 60 votes to cut it off, something the Republicans can't seem to do. Craig says the 60-vote rule can be changed in two ways. One is at the beginning of the session. CRAIG "Or you can change them individually by ruling of the chair and a sustaining of the ruling. That's how its been done in the past under these controversial approaches. It is how we would choose to do so in this situation if it's necessary." Stay tuned more to come on Myers and other such nominees. Voice of Idaho Agriculture Bill Scott