Civil and Human Rights Coalition Applauds Committee Vote on Pillard Nomination; Decries Republican Opposition

Normal
0

false
false
false

EN-US
X-NONE
X-NONE

/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:”Table Normal”;
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:””;
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:”Calibri”,”sans-serif”;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:”Times New Roman”;
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}

WASHINGTON — Nancy Zirkin, executive vice president of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, issued the following statement after today’s party line vote in the Senate Judiciary Committee to advance the nomination of Cornelia “Nina” Pillard to serve on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit:

“Today, the Senate Judiciary Committee approved Nina Pillard’s nomination over the unfortunate opposition of every Republican on the committee. Ms. Pillard is one of the nation’s leading appellate attorneys with a wealth of experience and a fierce commitment to the rule of law. It is disappointing that she did not garner bipartisan support given her vast experience and unassailable qualifications.

The D.C. Circuit is responsible for deciding uniquely complex and nationally significant cases, yet it is operating with nearly one third of its congressionally mandated seats vacant. According to the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, “the caseload per active judge on the D.C. Circuit has risen more than 50 percent since 2005.” As of December 31, 2012, the court had a caseload of more than 177 cases per active judge. It is contrary to the interests of justice for the court to operate without its full complement of judges.

Ms. Pillard is a thoughtful, experienced, and mainstream legal figure whose lengthy qualifications are beyond debate. The Senate should confirm her without delay, along with the other two nominees to the D.C. Circuit, Patricia Millett and Judge Robert Wilkins.”

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.