Civil and Human Rights Coalition Criticizes Wisc. Sen. Ron Johnson’s Continued Obstruction on Filling Judgeships

WASHINGTON – Nancy Zirkin, executive vice president and director of policy at The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, issued the following statement in response to Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson’s continued obstruction of nominees for federal judgeships and his attempt to fault his state’s other senator, Tammy Baldwin, for her efforts to finally move forward on filling the oldest court of appeals vacancy in America:

“Senator Johnson appears to want to cover his continued obstruction of a critical seat on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit by criticizing his fellow Wisconsin senator, Tammy Baldwin, for trying to help fill the vacancy. But trying to change the conversation doesn’t change Senator Johnson’s deplorable history around this vacancy.

The seat was already vacant when Senator Johnson joined the Senate in 2011, but he objected to the well-qualified nominee who had been put forward by his predecessors and demanded that the entire process start from scratch. Since 2012, Senator Baldwin has worked with Senator Johnson on his terms to identified qualified candidates through a nominating commission established by the two senators. But when this commission failed for forward a slate of candidates to the White House, Senator Baldwin chose to forward the eight leading candidates who had been vetted by the commission.

Now, Senator Johnson wants to go back to square one and start the process all over – again. But the people of Wisconsin and the Seventh Circuit – which also covers Indiana and Illinois – have already waited nearly 2,000 days for this vacancy – the nation’s longest appeals court vacancy – to be filled. Continued delays only amount to more obstruction and more denial of justice for those who depend on this court.

Senator Baldwin is to be commended for taking decisive action to help fill this important judgeship. Senator Johnson’s should stop the preposterous finger pointing and work with Senator Baldwin, the White House, and the Senate to ensure the seat is filled by a highly qualified nominee.

 Nancy Zirkin is the 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, visit www.civilrights.org.