Senate Could Start Harriet Miers’ Hearings in Early November 
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by Steven Ertelt
LifeNews.com Editor
October 17, 2005
Washington, DC (LifeNews.com) — The Senate could start its hearings on the Supreme Court nomination of Harriet Miers in early November. Senate Republicans are hoping to begin the process of hearings in the Senate Judiciary Committee on the week of November 7.
Meanwhile, President Bush is seeking to relaunch Miers’ nomination after she’s lost traction over various criticisms. Some pro-life groups have endorsed the nomination while others are taking a wait and see approach.
Should the judicial panel hold hearings that week, the full Senate would likely vote on Miers’ nomination to the high court before Congress breaks for its Thanksgiving recess.
Miers continues to meet with senators and has scheduled numerous visits with leading pro-abortion Democrats Chuck Schumer of New York and Dianne Feinstein of California, both of whom are members of the Judiciary Committee.
Some pro-life advocate say Bush should withdraw Miers because of his focus on her evangelical Christian views and because her nomination has become tainted with accusations that promises about how she would rule on abortion have been made.
On Monday, Bush met with former members of the Texas Supreme Court who know Miers well and support her nomination.
"Harriet Miers is a uniquely qualified person to serve on the bench. She is smart, she is capable, she is a pioneer," the president said after meeting them. "She’s been consistently ranked as one of the top 50 women lawyers in the United States. She has been a leader in the legal profession. She’s impressed these folks. They know her well. They know that she’ll bring excellence to the bench."
President Bush named Miers to replace outgoing pro-abortion Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, who is sitting on the court until a replacement is confirmed. Chief Justice John Roberts had been intended as O’Connor’s replacement, but the president elevated his nomination to the chief justice position when pro-life Justice William Rehnquist passed away.
