May 9, 2002

U.S. CAPITOL - Small Business Survival Committee President Darrell McKigney joined a majority of Republican U.S. Senators and over 50 concerned citizens groups at a U.S. Capitol press conference today to demand Senate action on President Bush's judicial nominees.

The Senate has confirmed just 52 of the 100 nominees put forward by Presideng Bush, and only nine of 30 federal circuit court nominees, a far lower percentage than for any other recent President.  Most have not even had a hearing.  More than 10 percent of the nation's federal judgeships are currently vacant. In the 12 regional circuit courts of appeals, nearly 20 percent of the seats are vacant.

SBSC President Darrell McKigney criticized Senate Democrat Majority Leader Tom Daschle for engaging in partisan politics by denying action on the Bush appointments, and warned that continued inaction could threaten small businesses and jobs.

"Our economy counts on small businesses to create 75% of all new jobs, but the reality is over half of them fail in four years and they're highly vulnerable to unexpected losses of time or money," said McKigney.  "Small businesses don't have big legal departments, and if they can't get needed action or resolution of issues in the courts right away, they run the risk of folding and putting people out of work.   That's why the current vacancies on the courts are a real threat to small businesses and job creation."

"It's time for Senator Daschle and company to knock off the partisan stalling, and do their jobs in getting these nominees considered," McKigney concluded.  

The Small Business Survival Committee is a nonpartisan, nonprofit small business advocacy organization with 70,000 members across the country.  Find out more  at www.sbsc.org