Reid: GOP blocking judicial confirmation process to embarrass Obama

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) charged Republicans on Monday of gumming up the judicial confirmation process in order to embarrass President Obama, and said he plans to file cloture to force votes on 17 of the outstanding nominees in the near future. 

"People have a right under our rules to hold up the next judge in line for 30 hours ... that will show what this is all about … that will show it's an effort to embarrass the president and not take into consideration 160 million people who don't have an ability to have their cases tried in an orderly manner," said Reid.

A handful of Republicans have stood in the way of most confirmation votes in the Senate in reprisal for Obama's recess appointments in January, which they say violated Senate traditions and the Constitution. Because of the Senate's rules, which protect the minority, a single senator can bring the entire process on a vote to a halt for any reason.

Reid did not mention the recess appointments but said Republicans were robbing their constituents of the right to speedy and just trials.

"For tens of millions of Americans the right to equal justice under the law is at risk," said Reid. "I am sorry to say it’s because of Republican ideology."

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