National Organization Praises Work of Colorado Senators' Judicial Screening Committee

People for the American Way lauded the work of a federal judicial screening committee established by Senators Udall and Bennet to assist them in recommending to the White House a replacement for a retiring U.S. District Court judge. Upon learning of Chief Judge Wiley Daniel’s plans to take senior status, the senators reactivated the 11-member bipartisan panel they have used for two previous vacancies. The committee, for which IAALS Executive Director Rebecca Love Kourlis serves as co-chair, screened and interviewed applicants for the position and recommended the best qualified to the senators, who forwarded these names to the President. Among the committee’s recommendations for the Wiley vacancy was Raymond J. Moore, whom President Obama nominated on November 14 and who was rated “well qualified” by the American Bar Association. IAALS published reports in 2010 and 2011 on the use of such screening committees by senators and other members of Congress, and we anticipate releasing a third edition in 2013.