U.S. Rep. wants to amend U.S. Constitution

WASHINGTON, Oct. 2 (UPI) -- Members of Michigan's congressional delegation are backing a constitutional amendment streamlining the process of confirming presidential appointees.

House Joint Resolution 71, introduced by Rep. Thaddeus McCotter, R-Mich., and the other Republicans in the delegation requires the Senate to vote to reject a nominee within 120 days or else the appointment would be deemed approved.

The proposed amendment is one way members of congress have suggested to break the logjam impeding the confirmation of nominees to the federal bench.

Republicans have criticized Senate Democrats for using the filibuster and chamber rules to keep the Senate from confirming pending nominees to the federal bench including four whom President George W. Bush has tapped for seats in Michigan.

The amendment is intended to prevent future obstruction and, McCotter says, restore the constitutional balance between the president and the Senate in the confirmation process.

Democrats defend their use of the filibuster and Senate rules to block the GOP judicial nominees by arguing that Republicans used similar tactics while Bill Clinton was president.

Because the measure is a constitutional amendment, it must be approved by two-thirds of the House and Senate and then ratified by three-quarters of the state legislatures before it can take effect.