Judge fight halts Senate action, threatens to shutdown legislature

Partisan gridlock over appointing two former legislators to state courts halted action in the Senate Tuesday and left the General Assembly in limbo over whether it could conduct business in the coming days.

While the issue hinged on a self-imposed deadline and arcane legislative procedures, the judge flap is the latest sign of ongoing friction between Democrats and the Republican majority in the Senate split 20-20 between the parties.

Lawmakers planned to vote today on reappointing a slate of judges to benches around the state

But Democrats moved to block that because the list includes two candidate who aren't sitting judges, former Dels. Clifford "Clay" Athey, R-Front Royal, and Clarence "Bud" Phillips, D-Dickenson County.

Although both have the seal of approval of the Senate Courts of Justice Committee, Democrats said they were working on the notion they had an agreement with Republicans to vote only on reappointments now, leaving the election of new judges for later.

The stalemate left the Senate, and possibly the House of Delegates, unable to take up other affairs because the chambers are under a continuing order preventing other action until the judge impasse is settled.

And since the election of judges isn't something Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling can use his tiebreaking vote to settle, business in the legislature could remain on hold for days if lawmakers don't reach compromise.

As the debate wore on Tuesday, leaders from both parties faulted the other side for the situation.

Senate Majority Leader Tommy Norment, R-James City County, accused Democrats of "partisan political extortion," saying they are willing to shut down the Senate and harm judges' careers to demonstrate their might.

His Democratic counterpart, Sen. Richard Saslaw of Fairfax County, argued the opposite, suggesting Republican rigidity is to blame.

"We're not holidng it up," he said. "Their refusal, just for two names, they're willing to shut the entire Genral Assembly down."

-- Julian Walker

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