Stenberg Critical of Sen. Nelson’s Vote Today in Favor of Activist Judge

Dec. 6, 2011 - PRLog -- Don Stenberg, Nebraska State Treasurer and Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate, said today he is disappointed with Sen. Ben Nelson’s vote to end a Republican filibuster to block the nomination of Caitlin Halligan to the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. Nelson voted to end debate and move forward with a vote to approve the nomination.   

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“I hope Sen. Nelson will change his mind and vote against the nomination of Caitlin Halligan as a judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. Her record of radical judicial activism while serving as solicitor general of the state of New York is cause for alarm,” Stenberg said.  

During her term as New York Solicitor General from 2001 to 2007 - during the tenure of then-Attorney General Eliot Spitzer – she filed briefs in numerous cases before the Supreme Court including cases involving the environment, second amendment right to bear arms, and the rights of peaceful pro-life demonstrators.  

“At a time of unparalleled expansion of federal regulations, the last thing our country needs is another radical environmental activist on our federal courts,” Stenberg said.

“Even more alarming are her views and record on gun rights and abortion.  As Solicitor General, Halligan sided with the National Organization for Women in a brief that attempted to portray peaceful pro-life protestors with extortion and racketeering charges under a distorted interpretation of the Hobbs Act. That claim was so outrageous that the U.S. Supreme Court rejected it in an 8-1 decision.”

“Halligan also was responsible for New York’s baseless and politically motivated efforts to bankrupt gun manufacturers using frivolous litigation and other attacks on the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding Americans.”

“In a speech on May 5, 2003, Halligan called for ‘handgun manufacturers [to be held] liable for criminal acts committed with handguns.’”

“Having yet another radical, liberal activism on one of the most powerful courts in the country interpreting federal statutes and regulations has the potential to be devastating. I urge Senator Nelson to stand with his Nebraska constituents and reject this liberal activist,” Stenberg said.

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Mr. Stenberg served as Nebraska Attorney General from 1990-2002 and was elected Nebraska State Treasurer in 2010. GOP U.S. Senate nominee in 2000 against Ben Nelson. Genuine, lifelong conservative. Supports 2nd Amendment, pro-life, balanced budget.