Should the US Senate retain "confirm and consent" powers over high court nominations?

Yes

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by C. Buckett

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The question before the board is "Shall the Senate retain its constitutional role in Advice and consent' in the nomination of the Supreme Court Justices?", rather than "Confirm and Consent", especially since confirmation equals consent. I'm sorry to say that the Presidents seldom seek the advice of the Senate, instead seeking only its consent. This type of situation has brought on much bickering in the Senate. There have been filibusters, straight party-line votes, and "playing politics" in the 200+ years of the Constitution.

The Senate should not give up the role assigned. It would be a disaster, probably leading to elimination of all confirmations. Legislative, Judicial, and Executive Branches are supposed to be "Checks and Balances." To give up the right of "Advise and Consent" would turn the legislative and judicial branches into puppets of the executive branch. When Congress delegated its power to declare war unto the President, it placed us at the brink of dictatorship. This doesn't mean that the President can just go ahead and send troops anywhere, but it is being used as an excuse. When Congress doesn't act, tyranny reigns.

Too often, though, politics plays a role in the choices of the Senate. The President has the power to appoint, with the CONSENT of the Senate. To give up the role of "advise and consent" would be pulling out the main pillar of our Republic. (Please note, I didn't say "democracy". We are not a democracy. We are a Democratic Republic.)

We can see what happens when "checks and balances" fail. Just look back to 1933 when Hitler became Chancellor of Germany.

No, to give up the Constitutional role of Advise and Consent would be one horrible mistake for the Senate. To let the President usurp the power of the Senate would be the final push off the cliff into the destruction of our nation.

The President should seek the advice of the leaders of the Senate. To do anything else is betraying the American People. When we fall, we fall as one.

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