WASHINGTON – Today, Senator Mike Lee released the following statement after the announcement that Senator Harry Reid will no longer hold cloture votes on 17 judicial nominees:

“I am pleased that Senator Reid has reversed his decision to force a series of unnecessary and contentious cloture votes on judicial nominations. The record demonstrates that claims of Republican ‘obstruction’ were simply false.  Indeed, the whole episode was merely a political maneuver designed to distract the American people from the failed Democratic legislative agenda.  I am grateful we can return our focus to the most important issue facing the country: job creation and economic growth.

“I urge Senator Reid to withdraw his recommendation that the President recess appoint additional nominees.  As Senators we have a responsibility to uphold the constitutional prerogatives of this body, including our rightful role in providing advice and consent to the President's nominations.”