Nominee for Federal Circuit deserves a hearing (would be first openly gay appeals judge)

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EDWARD C. DUMONT has argued 18 cases before the Supreme Court. He’s a partner with one of Washington’s most distinguished law firms. An ideologically diverse “Who’s Who” of alumni of the solicitor general’s office, who know Mr. DuMont from his work in that office, call him “a brilliant lawyer and elegant writer” with “exceptional capabilities, intelligence, integrity and professionalism.”

Last April President Obama nominated Mr. DuMont, an appellate specialist, to a seat on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, which handles cases involving international trade, government contracts, patents and copyrights, among other things.

Nearly a year later, Mr. DuMont, who would become the first openly gay man to serve as a federal appeals judge if seated, not only has not been given a vote, he has not been given a hearing.

No one involved in the nominations process can provide a satisfactory explanation.

Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee say their Republican colleagues have asked for additional time to review Mr. DuMont’s record. But Supreme Court nominees are processed in less time and often carry more baggage in the form of years’ worth of speeches and opinions that require intense scrutiny. Mr. DuMont’s record, while substantial, is much more manageable. Republicans, on the other hand, note that Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick J. Leahy (D-Vt.) was free to schedule a hearing without GOP approval.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/nominee-for-federal-circuit-deserves-a-hearing/2011/03/25/AFHqzZYB_story.html