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
- 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.
- Senators should vigorously question judicial nominees about their intent to remain faithful to the original meaning of the Constitution and laws.
QUICK FACTS
- Three Supreme Court Justices will be over 80 years old by Election Day 2016.
- Only four of nine Justices are faithful and consistent constitutionalists.
- Nearly one-third of Supreme Court decisions are decided by a 5-4 vote.
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