NY Senator Charles Schumer’s brother in law has been nominated by President Obama to be a Federal Judge in New Jersey. For some reason, this has really annoyed some and gotten headlines.
First, the facts: his brother in law is a lawyer. Second, his brother in law lives in New Jersey and it is common that a judge be picked from his home state. Third, he was suggested to the President by one of the New Jersey US Senators and not by Senator Schumer. This is the routine of how Federal Judges are nominated – the Senators of that State of the vacancy suggest someone to the President.
Plus, once nominated, as he has been, he must be confirmed by the US Senate. That is also part of the routine. If he is unqualified, the Senate can decide not to confirm him. The Senate will have lots of time to grill him to see if he will be a competent Federal Judge.
The President is a Democrat and he is the President and he has the Constitutional power to nominate Federal Judges. It is that simple. Elections have consequences. If you don’t want the Democrats, or President Obama nominating Federal Judges, you know what to do: sign up to help one of his political opponents.
So…I don’t get it. So why is this a news story?
PS – even if Senator Schumer asked the NJ Senators to suggest his brother….so what? I just don’t get why anyone is fussing about this.
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