How To talk About The Role of the Courts

How To Talk About…
ROLE OF THE COURTS

SEPARATION OF POWERS


  • America is a great country because its government is carefully balanced so that no one person or group has too much power.

ROLE OF THE COURTS


  • judge’s responsibility is to interpret the written law, not to create laws that align with his or her policy preferences.
  • Judges should not have the power to redefine laws and traditions Americans have known for more than two hundred years.

ROLE OF THE SENATE


  • Senators should ensure that nominees will not misuse their power as judges. The Senate should never rush through confirmation of a nominee for the sake of political expediency.

POLICY PROPOSALS


  1. In states with an elected judiciary, public officials should encourage citizens to evaluate every candidate’s approach to judging and his or her fidelity to the Constitution as it is written.
  2. Senators should vigorously question judicial nominees about their intent to remain faithful to the original meaning of the Constitution and laws.

QUICK FACTS


  1. Three Supreme Court Justices will be over 80 years old by Election Day 2016.
  2. Only four of nine Justices are faithful and consistent constitutionalists.
  3. Nearly one-third of Supreme Court decisions are decided by a 5-4 vote.

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