By Alabama Public Radio
Atlanta, GA – A federal appeals court in Atlanta has ruled that President Bush did not overstep his bounds when he made former Alabama Attorney General Bill Pryor a federal judge without Senate confirmation. Pryor was appointed to the 11th U-S- Circuit Court of Appeals during the Presidents' Day recess in February. The appointment came after the Senate had twice refused to bring Pryor's nomination to a floor vote. Opponents argued that the appointment was an end-run on the Senate's right to confirm or reject the President's choices. But the President can legally appoint federal judges without the Senate's consent if the chamber is on recess. Bush nominated Pryor last year, but his nomination was held up by abortion and homosexual rights advocates. Pryor had criticized both homosexuality and the Supreme Court's Roe versus Wade decision that legalized abortion.