Wes Hickman/Kevin Bishop

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, today supported the nomination of Miguel Estrada to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. The 10-9 vote in committee was along party lines as Republicans supported and Democrats opposed the nomination. President Bush nominated Estrada in May 2001 but the nomination was blocked by the Democratic majority on the Judiciary Committee. “Mr. Estrada has unbelievable academic credentials and outstanding work experience,” said Graham. “He’s a solid person and a solid pick for the position. “The special interest politics of the left have great sway over many Senators in the Democratic party,” said Graham, noting the long delay in moving the nomination forward. “His critics rely on people in the shadows and on the fringe whose biggest objection to Mr. Estrada is he doesn’t see life their way. It’s unfortunate that liberal special interest groups and many Democratic Senators are opposing this qualified nominee.” Born in Honduras, Estrada came to the United States when he was 17 years old. He spoke only rudimentary English yet within five years he graduated magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Columbia College in New York. He went on to earn his law degree, with honors, from Harvard University. Estrada worked at the U.S. Justice Department under both Democrat and Republican presidents and is a member of one of the most prestigious law firms in the country. Estrada has also won 10 of the 15 cases he argued before the Supreme Court. “His nomination to the Circuit Court is another example of the promise America holds to immigrants,” said Graham. “This fine man entered the United States as a teenager and has soared. He will bring honor to the bench.”