Civil and Human Rights Coalition to Senate Republican Leadership: Do Your Job and Confirm Nominees to the Federal Courts

WASHINGTON – Nancy Zirkin, executive vice president of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, issued the following statement today after President Obama nominated Abid Qureshi to fill a vacancy on the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia:

“With the Senate back in Washington after a seven-week recess, it’s time for the Senate Republican leadership to move without delay to fill lower court vacancies and to hold a hearing and a vote on Merrick Garland, President Obama’s nominee for the Supreme Court.

Since taking control of the Senate, Senate Republicans have slow walked and obstructed the progress of dozens of well-qualified nominees. Right now, there are 27 nominees to the lower courts awaiting confirmation votes on the Senate floor, none of whom are controversial and many of whom have the support of both their Republican and Democratic home-state senators.

With 90 judicial vacancies – and counting – the failure of Senate Republicans to do their job is denying justice to millions of Americans who can’t get their day in court. This must end now.

President Obama today demonstrated his continuing commitment to the federal courts by nominating Abid Qureshi to the D.C. District Court. It’s time for the Senate Republican leadership to demonstrate their commitment by filling these important vacancies before they leave Washington again for another recess.”

Nancy Zirkin is executive vice president of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights is 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.

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