Federal News and Releases - Justice at Stake http://www.justiceatstake.org/federal/federal-news-and-releases/?show=rss http://www.justiceatstake.org/federal/federal-news-and-releases/?show=rss Justice at Stake en-US Fri, 24 May 2013 14:58:36 +0000 Fri, 24 May 2013 14:58:36 +0000 Copyright 2013 Justice at Stake. All rights reserved. chall@justiceatstake.org (Managing Editor) chall@justiceatstake.org (Webmaster) Global Reach News Aggregator v0.96 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss 60 JAS: President Affirms Constitution's Protections http://www.justiceatstake.org/federal/federal-news-and-releases/?jas_president_affirms_constitutions_protections&show=news&newsID=16654 http://www.justiceatstake.org/federal/federal-news-and-releases/?jas_president_affirms_constitutions_protections&show=news&newsID=16654 Fri, 24 May 2013 05:00:00 +0000 Justice at Stake said it was encouraged by the way President Obama talked in a speech on national security and counterterrorism policy about the Constitution's protections. See Gavel Grab for details.

]]> JAS Welcomes New Focus on Due Process, Oversight and Judicial Review in National Security http://www.justiceatstake.org/federal/federal-news-and-releases/?jas_welcomes_new_focus_on_due_process_oversight_and_judicial_review_in_national_security&show=news&newsID=16655 http://www.justiceatstake.org/federal/federal-news-and-releases/?jas_welcomes_new_focus_on_due_process_oversight_and_judicial_review_in_national_security&show=news&newsID=16655 Thu, 23 May 2013 05:00:00 +0000 JAS Welcomes New Focus on Due Process, Oversight and Judicial Review in National Security
 
Contact: Laurie Kinney, lkinney@justiceatstake.org, (202) 588-9454; cell (571) 882-3615
 
WASHINGTON, D.C., May 23 – Today, President Obama addressed an audience at the National Defense University and delivered a speech on national security and counterterrorism policy. Justice at State was encouraged by the President’s affirmation that the Constitution’s protections define us as a nation and do not disappear during times of war. 
 
In the words of the President: "For over two centuries, the United States has been bound together by founding documents that defined who we are as Americans, and served as our compass through every type of change. Matters of war and peace are no different."
 
JAS also commends the President for his commitment to review proposals to extend oversight of lethal actions outside of war zones.  
 
Praveen Fernandes, JAS Director of Federal Affairs and Diversity Initiatives, explained: "The President acknowledged that the targeting of American citizens raises significant constitutional concerns. Leaders from both parties and all three branches of government need to grapple seriously with what the Constitution demands in terms of due process and other protections." 
 
JAS also lauds the President’s commitment to closing the detention center at Guantanamo Bay and assuring judicial review for every detainee.  
 
With respect to the President’s remarks on the closing of Guantanamo, Fernandes stated: "Meaningful judicial review must be available for every detainee. As plans are made for moving detainees away from Guantanamo, a strong preference should be expressed for trying detainees in federal courts rather than military commissions. Our nation’s federal courts have a proven record --- and certainly a much stronger record than military commissions --- in the area of trying terrorism suspects while providing the sorts of protections that are central to our nation. Entrusting our civilian justice system with such tasks honors our nation’s deepest values while keeping our nation safe."  
 
### 
 

Justice at Stake is a nonpartisan, nonprofit campaign working to keep America’s courts fair and impartial. Justice at Stake and its 50-plus state and national partners educate the public, and work for reforms to keep politics and special interests out of the courtroom – so judges can protect our Constitution, our rights and the rule of law. For more about Justice at Stake, go to www.justiceatstake.org or www.gavelgrab.org.  

]]> Srinivasan Confirmed, JAS Hails Break in 'Logjam' http://www.justiceatstake.org/federal/federal-news-and-releases/?srinivasan_confirmed_jas_hails_break_in_logjam&show=news&newsID=16644 http://www.justiceatstake.org/federal/federal-news-and-releases/?srinivasan_confirmed_jas_hails_break_in_logjam&show=news&newsID=16644 Thu, 23 May 2013 05:00:00 +0000  The Senate confirmed Sri Srinivasan for the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals on a 97-0 vote, and Justice at Stake welcomed the "break in a confirmation logjam." Learn more from Gavel Grab. 

]]> JAS: Confirmation of Nominee to D.C. Circuit Court is Welcome Break in Logjam http://www.justiceatstake.org/federal/federal-news-and-releases/?jas_confirmation_of_nominee_to_dc_circuit_court_is_welcome_break_in_logjam&show=news&newsID=16638 http://www.justiceatstake.org/federal/federal-news-and-releases/?jas_confirmation_of_nominee_to_dc_circuit_court_is_welcome_break_in_logjam&show=news&newsID=16638 Thu, 23 May 2013 05:00:00 +0000 JAS: Confirmation of Nominee to D.C. Circuit Court is Welcome Break in Logjam
 
Contact: Laurie Kinney, lkinney@justiceatstake.org, (202) 588-9454; cell (571) 882-3615
 
WASHINGTON, D.C., May 23 – In response to today’s Senate confirmation of Sri Srinivasan to the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals, Justice at Stake Director of Federal Affairs and Diversity Initiatives Praveen Fernandes issued the following statement:  
 
“We applaud the fact that Senators were able to come together in a bipartisan manner to confirm a nominee to the D.C. Circuit Court, which saw its last confirmation back in 2006. This is a welcome break in a confirmation logjam that has left the nation’s second most important federal appellate court understaffed for years.  
 
“Justice at Stake has always held that absent extraordinary circumstances, the judicial nominees of every President deserve an up-down vote. This position remains the same regardless of which party controls the presidency and regardless of which party controls the Senate. We’d like to see the cooperative spirit that moved Senators to work together on this confirmation continue in the future.” 
 
The confirmation of Srinavasan, currently serving as Principal Deputy Solicitor General of the United States, to the D.C. Court of Appeals will bring the number of judges on that bench to 8, leaving 3 vacancies. JAS urges the Senate to fill the remaining 3 vacancies, taking the position that the number and complexity of cases heard by such a critical appellate court demands that it retain its full complement of 11 judgeships. As such, JAS opposes the Court Efficiency Act (S.699), which proposes elimination of the remaining 3 open seats on the DC Circuit.    
 
The Administrative Office of the United States Courts, which has long provided non-partisan analysis and recommendations on resource allocation within the federal courts, has not recommended any change to the number of authorized judgeships for the DC Circuit.
 
###
 

Justice at Stake is a nonpartisan, nonprofit campaign working to keep America’s courts fair and impartial. Justice at Stake and its 50-plus state and national partners educate the public, and work for reforms to keep politics and special interests out of the courtroom – so judges can protect our Constitution, our rights and the rule of law. For more about Justice at Stake, go to www.justiceatstake.org, or www.gavelgrab.org. 

]]> Senate Confirms Openly Gay Judicial Nominee http://www.gavelgrab.org/?p=57454 http://www.gavelgrab.org/?p=57454 Tue, 21 May 2013 05:00:00 +0000 Growing Movement to Restrict Islamic Law in Our Courts http://www.gavelgrab.org/?p=57424 http://www.gavelgrab.org/?p=57424 Tue, 21 May 2013 05:00:00 +0000 Four Newest US Judicial Nominees Would Make History http://www.gavelgrab.org/?p=57321 http://www.gavelgrab.org/?p=57321 Mon, 20 May 2013 05:00:00 +0000 Kelly Seen as Bringing Rare Experience to Appeals Bench http://www.gavelgrab.org/?p=57307 http://www.gavelgrab.org/?p=57307 Fri, 17 May 2013 05:00:00 +0000 Nominee for D.C. Appeals Court Approved by Senate Panel http://www.gavelgrab.org/?p=57208 http://www.gavelgrab.org/?p=57208 Thu, 16 May 2013 05:00:00 +0000 Senate Panel Easily Approves DC Circuit Nominee http://www.justiceatstake.org/federal/federal-news-and-releases/?senate_panel_easily_approves_dc_circuit_nominee&show=news&newsID=16591 http://www.justiceatstake.org/federal/federal-news-and-releases/?senate_panel_easily_approves_dc_circuit_nominee&show=news&newsID=16591 Wed, 15 May 2013 05:00:00 +0000 The Senate Judiciary Committee voted unanimously to approve President Obama’s nomination of Sri Srinivasan for the nation’s second most influential appeals court. Learn more from Gavel Grab. 

]]> Supreme Court Lawyers Lacking Diversity http://www.gavelgrab.org/?p=57045 http://www.gavelgrab.org/?p=57045 Tue, 14 May 2013 05:00:00 +0000 Justice Sotomayor Appears on "The View" to Discuss Her Memoirs http://www.gavelgrab.org/?p=56733 http://www.gavelgrab.org/?p=56733 Tue, 07 May 2013 05:00:00 +0000 Research Shows GOP Obstruction of Judicial Nominees http://www.gavelgrab.org/?p=56649 http://www.gavelgrab.org/?p=56649 Mon, 06 May 2013 05:00:00 +0000 State Officials Seek to Lift the Veil on 'Secret Money' in Politics http://www.gavelgrab.org/?p=56549 http://www.gavelgrab.org/?p=56549 Fri, 03 May 2013 05:00:00 +0000 JAS Letter to House and Senate Leadership on Sequestration http://www.justiceatstake.org/file.cfm/media/news/Senate_and_House_Leadership_letter__6CF6D50931D51.pdf http://www.justiceatstake.org/file.cfm/media/news/Senate_and_House_Leadership_letter__6CF6D50931D51.pdf Fri, 03 May 2013 05:00:00 +0000 JAS: Will Congress Alleviate Justice Delays? http://www.justiceatstake.org/federal/federal-news-and-releases/?jas_will_congress_alleviate_justice_delays&show=news&newsID=16520 http://www.justiceatstake.org/federal/federal-news-and-releases/?jas_will_congress_alleviate_justice_delays&show=news&newsID=16520 Thu, 02 May 2013 05:00:00 +0000 Action by Congress and the president to end flight delays caused by federal budget cuts is piecemeal and fails to address delays in the delivery of justice, Justice at Stake told congressional leaders. Visit Gavel Grab for more. 

]]> Senate Confirms Appeals Judge by 96-0 Vote http://www.justiceatstake.org/federal/federal-news-and-releases/?senate_confirms_appeals_judge_by_960_vote&show=news&newsID=16459 http://www.justiceatstake.org/federal/federal-news-and-releases/?senate_confirms_appeals_judge_by_960_vote&show=news&newsID=16459 Thu, 25 Apr 2013 05:00:00 +0000  The Senate confirmed Jane Kelly, an assistant public defender in Iowa, to the Eighth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Wednesday by a 96-0 vote. Gavel Grab has more. 

]]>