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A project tracking federal judicial nominations and courts.


Defenders of Wildlife

Nominees

William H. Pryor

Eleventh Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals
Confirmed June 9, 2005

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William Pryor
Photo: White House

On July 23, 2003, the Senate Judiciary Committee voted 10-9 to send William Pryor's nomination to the full Senate (Sen. Specter voted yes, but reserved his final decision until the vote by the full Senate). On July 31, 2003, the Senate failed to end debate, as the 53-44 vote fell seven short of the 60 that would be needed to cut off an ongoing filibuster against this nomination. A similar Nov. 6, 2003, attempt failed on a 51 to 43 vote.

On Feb. 20, 2004, President Bush evaded serious objections that blocked the Senate confirmation of Judge William Pryor and gave him a recess appointment for one year to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.  On February 14, 2005, President Bush formally renominated William Pryor to the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals.  The Senate voted 67 to 32  to confirm Pryor on June 9, 2005.

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gavel icon Press Releases:

Pryor Confirmation Threatens National Environmental Safeguards (06/09/05)
Senate confirms Pryor despite unprecedented opposition from conservation groups

Senate Compromise Preserves Independent Courts, Protects Environment (05/23/05)
Anti-environmentalist William Myers remains blocked

President Bush Sends Americans a Valentine's Day Message of Confrontation and Divisiveness (02/14/05)
Former mining lobbyist re-nominated to lifetime post

Bush Announces Plans to Renominate Blocked Judicial Candidates (12/23/04)
President chooses path of confrontation and gridlock

Senators Should Consider Environmental Impacts of Judicial Nominations (02/26/04)
William Pryor, William Myers illustrate problems of extremist nominees

Bush Bypasses Senate to Place Anti-Environmental Judge on Bench (02/20/04)
Senate rejected William Pryor; Bush sidesteps Senate during extremely brief recess

Earthjustice Takes to the Airwaves in Opposition to William Pryor Nomination (07/29/03)
Earthjustice launches radio campaign urging listeners to oppose nomination of William Pryor

gavel icon Reports & Analysis:

Overview of Nominees
Packing the Courts: President Bush’s Nominees to Lifetime Federal Judgeships Threaten the Environment

William H. Pryor: A Remarkable Record of Hostility Toward Federal Environmental Protections
In speeches, law review articles and legal briefs, Alabama Attorney General William H. Pryor has enthusiastically argued that many of our most cherished federal environmental safeguards are unconstitutional.