“I strongly oppose the nomination of Caitlin Halligan,” said Wicker. “The Constitutional duty of ‘advice and consent’ given to the Senate is of profound importance, particularly when considering a lifetime appointment to a federal bench.  Ms. Halligan’s publicly stated positions on the Second Amendment, terrorism, and other legal questions are troubling.  Ms. Halligan’s views reflect someone who believes in vast judicial powers to shape and rewrite the law, which is a threat to our tradition of American law.”

A cloture vote, requiring 60 votes, was necessary to move forward.  The cloture vote failed 54 to 45.