Here is the statement of Senator Patrick Leahy on Bush judicial nominee Janice Rogers Brown. [link via How Appealing]. Her confirmation hearing was held today. As expected, it was not smooth sailing at the hearing.

Alliance for Justice published this critique of Judge Brown yesterday:

Citing some of her controversial judicial opinions and public speeches, Alliance for Justice President Nan Aron said, "After a thorough review of Justice Brown's record, we have profound concerns about her ability and willingness to put aside her extreme, anachronistic views of the law and decide cases as statute and precedent require."

Aron described Brown's record as evincing a strong hostility to claims of discrimination based on race, age, gender, and disability, affirmative action, reproductive rights, and worker and consumer protections. "Justice Brown's record as a state court judge raises serious questions about her commitment to equal justice and her fitness for an appointment to the federal judiciary," Aron said.

All of our coverage of Bush judicial nominee Janice Rogers Brown is here.