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Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Charles Pickering Sr. announced Wednesday night that he will step down from the federal bench. President Bush gave Pickering, 67, the bench with a recess appointment in January after some Democrats accused Pickering of being racially insensitive and harboring anti-abortion views. "My nomination and permanent appointment ... has been pending before the full Senate for more than one year," Pickering said in a prepared statement released late Wednesday night. "... Opposition by some Democratic senators prevented an up or down vote on my nomination. A minority of senators prevented the majority from confirming me to a permanent position on the Fifth Circuit. The actions of the minority leave me with no alternative than to retire as Congress adjourns." Bush had nominated Keith Starrett, a judge on the 14th Circuit Court District of Mississippi since 1992, to replace Pickering as the U.S. district judge for the Southern District of the state. Democrats blocked Pickering's nomination to the higher court, prompting Bush to bypass Congress and elevate Pickering to the federal appeals court with the recess appointment, which temporarily bypassed the confirmation process. However, the appointment is valid only until the next Congress convenes in January.[more]