Senators Must Reject Rao, Protect Rights

March 12, 2019

For Immediate Release
Contact: Kristen Voorhees, [email protected], 202.548.7166

WASHINGTON – Vanita Gupta, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, issued the following statement on the Senate’s party-line advancement of Neomi Rao’s nomination to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit:

“In their quest to politicize our federal courts, Republican senators placed party over country and advanced Neomi Rao’s nomination to the powerful D.C. Circuit Court. Rao’s comments disparage our most vulnerable communities, including sexual assault survivors, LGBTQ people, women, and communities of color – taking positions that should disqualify her from serving in a lifetime seat. Her tireless efforts to roll back vital public protections for sexual assault survivors, victims of discrimination, and the environment demonstrate that she will not defend our fundamental civil and human rights. We deserve a fair-minded judge who will protect our rights, not disregard them. Rao is not that person.”

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 and its member organizations, visit www.civilrights.org.