Civil and Human Rights Coalition Urges Key Committee to Vote No on Judge Gorsuch

WASHINGTON—Wade Henderson, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, issued the following statement urging the Senate Judiciary Committee to reject the nomination of Judge Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court of the United States:

“Judge Gorsuch’s decade-long record on the federal bench, as well as his writings, speeches, and activities throughout his career, demonstrate he is a judge with an agenda. He has consistently issued rulings that favor corporations and employers at the expense of workers, women, discrimination victims, and children with disabilities.

During his confirmation hearing, Judge Gorsuch refused to answer basic questions, including those answered by previous nominees. He took the art of ducking, dodging, and dissembling to a new level. For example, he refused to say whether he agreed with the result in Brown v. Board of Education. He also reinforced our concerns that he lacks the impartiality and independence the American people expect and deserve from the federal bench. Now, more than ever, our judiciary must serve as an independent check on the executive branch. 

We are also troubled by recent reports that Judge Gorsuch, or his White House handlers, failed to honor requests for meetings by some senators. Individual meetings with senators is a longstanding and venerable tradition, and a critical element of the Constitution’s Advice and Consent function. It is unheard of for a nominee to the Supreme Court to decline such a request.

If confirmed to the Supreme Court, which is closely divided on many critical issues, we are convinced Judge Gorsuch would tip the balance in a direction that would undermine many of our core rights and legal protections. We urge the Senate Judiciary Committee to oppose his nomination.”

Wade Henderson is president and CEO 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 and its 200-plus member organizations, visit www.civilrights.org.