Boggs to Be Left Out of Judiciary Committee Vote

R. Robin McDonald
Daily Report, June 11, 2014

 

The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee chairman said the panel on Thursday will consider the confirmation of six of Georgia's seven federal nominees, but not that of state Court of Appeals Judge Michael Boggs.

 

Chairman Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., said he was placing nominees Jill Pryor and Judge Julie Carnes for two slots on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit; Mark Cohen, Judge Eleanor Ross and Leigh Martin May for three slots on the Northern District of Georgia; and Leslie Abrams for a seat in the Middle District of Georgia in Albany on Thursday's agenda at the request of Georgia's senators, Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson.

 

"I have always consulted with home state senators regarding nominations in their states, and Senator Chambliss and Senator Isakson asked that I move forward with the Georgia nominees who were ready for a committee vote," said Leahy.

 

A Chambliss spokeswoman had no comment. Isakson's press aide could not be reached immediately Wednesday.

 

The committee will delay consideration of Boggs' nomination because "More time is needed to follow up on his recent testimony," the chairman added.

 

Civil rights, abortion rights and gay rights organizations are working to defeat Boggs' nomination because of his conservative voting record while a state legislator from 2001 to 2004. During that time, Boggs voted against removing a Confederate emblem from the state flag, and supported a public registry of doctors who perform abortions and a constitutional ban of same-sex marriage.

 

Last month Boggs said he was "offended" by the flag, but his constituents wanted a vote on any change; he disavowed the abortion registration bill; and he said his positions on same-sex marriage "may or may not" have changed.