Civil and Human Rights Coalition Applauds Senators Reid and Leahy on Historic Progress in Staffing Federal Courts
WASHINGTON –Nancy Zirkin, executive vice president of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, issued the following statement after the Senate adjourned Tuesday, having confirmed 132 judicial nominations in the 113th Congress, the most of any Congress since 1980:
“The Senate’s confirmation of 12 district court nominees before adjourning on Tuesday night was a watershed moment in our justice system, addressing the judicial vacancies and emergencies that have plagued our nation’s courts for far too long.
When the Senate adjourned, it did so having confirmed the most judges since 1980, clearing the stalled backlog of judicial nominees on the Senate floor for the first time in six years. We applaud the Senate for confirming these talented, experienced judges, and especially thank Senators Reid and Leahy for their leadership and hard work in moving these nominees through the committee and floor, and for prioritizing the needs of our justice system.
Now that the Senate has cleared the backlog of judicial nominees, it can address new judicial vacancies in a timely manner and focus on other essential work in the 114th Congress.”