U.S. Rep. Mac

Collins, who represents Fayette County, is pushing Sen. Max Cleland for

faster action on President George Bush's judicial appointments.

Collins, a

Republican, is rumored as a possible candidate to unseat Democrat Cleland

in the 2002 elections. GOP leaders have made it clear they consider Cleland

vulnerable and will target him next year.

After a conversation

that took place when both were invited aboard Air Force One, Collins wrote

Cleland recently urging further Senate action on pending nominees.

"It is

wrong to hold vital judgeships hostage for political gain," said

Collins. "That is what is happening in the Democratically controlled

Senate with these confirmation hearings."

A spokesman

for Cleland told The Citizen that the senator is doing his part.

"Sen.

Cleland is not delaying a single vote," said Patricia Murphy of Cleland's

press office. "He is working very hard to get our own [Georgia] nominees

confirmed as soon as possible."

Cleland is

"very happy with the nominees the White House has sent over,"

she said, but added that the process sometimes takes longer than anyone

likes.

Citing specific

Georgia judgeships awaiting Senate action, Collins thanked Cleland for

responding to a previous letter, but accused the Senate leadership of

"political stonewalling."

In his letter

to Cleland, Collins specifically urged action for the U.S. District Court,

Middle District, where two posts serving Columbus and Macon have been

vacant for some time.

There are currently

more than 100 vacancies for federal judgeships with 52 nominees submitted

U.S. attorney to seek out and prosecute criminals.

"How can

the Democrats in the Senate say they are concerned with our national defense

and homeland security when they impede some of the most important tools

we have for achieving true internal security?" asked Collins. "These

U.S. attorneys and judges are our last line of defense in bringing terrorists

to justice. We need to stop dallying and get busy for the best interests

of Georgia, and our entire nation."