Civil and Human Rights Coalition: Denying a Vote on Judge Bacharach Would be “a New Low for the Judicial Appointment Process”
Washington, D.C. – Nancy Zirkin, executive vice president of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, issued the following statement in advance of Monday’s expected Senate vote on Judge Robert Bacharach, who is being filibustered despite being approved with overwhelming bipartisan support in the Senate Judiciary Committee. The Leadership Conference also sent a letter to senators today urging confirmation of Judge Bacharach:
“The filibuster against Magistrate Judge Robert Bacharach is preposterous. He’s a highly qualified nominee with bipartisan support and the endorsement of both of his home state senators, and he’s been nominated to fill a critical vacancy on the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals.
We applaud Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid for scheduling a vote on Monday to break the filibuster, and we encourage every senator – regardless of party – to put justice and duty ahead of petty politicking to ensure that Judge Bacharach receives a confirmation vote without delay.
This seat has been vacant for over two years. To deny a vote on Bacharach would signal a new low for the judicial appointment process, which is impressive given the record amount of obstruction during this term. The courts have important work to do. Let’s honor that, get back to regular order, and let the people of the 10th Circuit have access to justice.”
Nancy Zirkin is executive vice president of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, a coalition charged by its diverse membership of more than 200 national organizations to promote and protect the rights of all persons in the United States. The Leadership Conference works toward an America as good as its ideals. For more information on The Leadership Conference and its 200-plus member organizations, visit www.civilrights.org.