Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.), Sen. Elizabeth Dole (R-N.C.) and Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.) testified before the National Parks Subcommittee hearing to discuss a series of bills that would the establishment of a commemorative trail in connection with the women’s suffrage movement, in addition to preserving key environmental regions.

Clinton stated that “heritage tourism” is critical for economic development that more communities are beginning to use for advancement. The series of bills would create the “Votes for Women History Trail Route” in the state of New York. Dole said that public involvement in public parks is also important to preserving hunting and fishing areas.

However, Sen. Gordon Smith (R-Ore.) expressed concern over the bills’ provisions on cattle grazing, hunting and maintenance of forests. He stated that amendments needed to be made to address these serious concerns.

Eight Senate Republicans gathered this afternoon to hold a forum on “Protecting American Justice: Ensuring Confirmation of Qualified Judicial Nominees.” Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) led the forum and said that it is not fair to the American people for Congress to block certain judicial nominees in an effort to obtain partisan revenge. Sen. Elizabeth Dole (R-N.C.) agreed with Specter and said that U.S. courts are the front lines of contact between the American citizens and Congress. (more…)

A group of Republican Senators headed by Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Penn.) chastised Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) for what they viewed as “playing politics with a judicial nomination. The nomination of Judge Robert Conrad to be on the fourth district circuit court of appeals is currently being held up by Sen. Leahy who has yet to give Judge Conrad a hearing. (more…)