Fiegen: Supreme Court nomination a challenge, opportunity for Grassley

By James Q. Lynch

Democratic U.S. Senate hopeful Ton Fiegen is challenging Sen. Chuck Grassley to put the interests of Iowans ahead of the “most extreme wing” of the Republican Party.

Fiegen, who practices bankruptcy law in Cedar Rapids, said President Obama's nomination of Elena Kagan to the U.S. Supreme Court is an opportunity for Grassley “to either objectively advise and consent to the nomination or to bow to right wing forces in his party which took down Utah U.S. Sen. Bob Bennett.” Bennett could not muster support to win the nomination for re-election from his party over the weekend.

Grassley, a senior member of the Senate Judiciary Committee which will consider the nominee, said May 10 he expects Kagan to receive “fair, respectful and deliberative consideration.”

“A lifetime appointment requires a thorough vetting,” Grassley said, especially because she has no judicial experience. “The Judiciary Committee must take time to ensure that the nominee will be true to the Constitution and apply the law, not personal politics, feelings or preferences.”