Civil Rights Groups Respond to D.C. Circuit Vote on Wilkins Nomination and Filibusters of Watt, Millett, and Pillard

Media 11.18.13

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WASHINGTON – At 11:30 a.m, EST tomorrow, the leaders of several of the nation’s pre-eminent civil rights organizations will join together on a press call to respond to tonight’s vote on the nomination of Judge Robert Wilkins to join the U.S. Court of Appeals District of Columbia Circuit (D.C. Circuit).

Tonight’s vote is happening in the shadow of an unprecedented Senate filibuster effort that’s torpedoed three high-profile nominations in a row: Patricia Millett and Cornelia Pillard for the D.C. Circuit; and Congressman Mel Watt to head the Federal Finance Housing Agency (FHFA). The politically and ideologically driven filibusters of these important nominations mark a new low for the Senate confirmation process.

If filibustered tonight, the vote on Wilkins nomination would have nothing to do with his impeccable qualifications. By keeping judicial and administration posts vacant at any cost, extremists in Congress are creating a slow motion government shutdown.

Tuesday’s call will include speakers from the National Urban League, the NAACP, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, the National Bar Association, and the Washington Bar Association.

WHO:

  • Wade Henderson, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights
  • Marc Morial, president and CEO of the National Urban League
  • Leslie Proll, director of the Washington office of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund
  • Patricia M. Rosier, president of the National Bar Association
  • William “Billy” R. Martin, president of the Washington Bar Association
  • Hilary Shelton, Washington bureau director of the NAACP

WHAT: Press call for civil rights leaders to respond to vote on Wilkins nomination to D.C. Circuit and the unprecedented filibuster crisis that has torpedoed the nominations of Congressman Mel Watt, Patricia Millett, and Cornelia Pillard.

WHEN: Tuesday, November 19 at 11:30 a.m. EST

CALL-IN INFO: RSVP requested to [email protected]. Number: 866-952-7524 Verbal Passcode: “Nominations”