Civil and Human Rights Coalition Condemns Senate Failure on SCOTUS Nomination and over 100 Judicial Vacancies

WASHINGTON – Nancy Zirkin, executive vice president of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, issued the following statement after Congress adjourned for the year, leaving over 100 total judicial vacancies:

“As Congress leaves town for the year, Senate Republican leadership has yet again neglected their responsibilities by abandoning over 100 judicial vacancies and refusing to hold a hearing and a vote on Merrick Garland, President Obama’s nominee for the Supreme Court.

Since taking control of the Senate, Republicans have slow walked dozens of well-qualified nominees. Right now, there are 25 nominees to the lower courts awaiting confirmation votes on the Senate floor; none of whom are controversial, many of whom have the support of both their Republican and Democratic home-state senators, and all of whom could be confirmed in minutes.

Time is growing short and allowing President-elect Trump to select new nominees would only serve to reward Republicans for their treachery.  

With over 100 judicial vacancies, this failure is denying justice to millions of Americans who can’t get their day in court. Enough is enough. This must end now.”

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.