Owen, Brown approved by Comm. and sent to FULL SENATE for approval

[DesEtoiles]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7587980/

New push to win approval
for Bush judicial nominees

Republicans splitting on 'nuclear option' to stop Democratic filibuster?

Texas Supreme Court Justice Priscilla Owen is one of two judges whose nominations went to the full Senate Thursday.

MSNBC staff and news service reports
Updated: 1:16 p.m. ET April 21, 2005

WASHINGTON - The battle between President Bush and Democrats over his judicial nominees resurfaced Thursday when Republicans sent two judges' names to the full Senate for a vote, but a key GOP senator who's facing an uphill re-election battle backed off what's known as the "nuclear option" to block Democratic opposition.


The committee later did the same for California judge Janice Rogers Brown, who is seeking a slot on the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in the District of Columbia.

Owen and Brown were blocked from confirmation by Democratic filibuster threats during Bush’s first term, but were renominated by the president after he won a second term in November. Democrats consider the nominees too conservative.