Walker’s Nomination is Political Patronage Run Amok

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Rafael Medina, [email protected], 202.869.0390

WASHINGTON – Lena Zwarensteyn, Fair Courts Campaign Director at The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, issued the following statement on the Senate’s vote to advance the nomination of Justin Walker to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit:

“The calls for justice could not be clearer: our leaders must respond to the killing of Black people by police officers and the devastating disproportionate impact COVID-19 has on communities of color. Leader McConnell is not only ignoring these calls, he is doubling down on his effort to entrench his agenda to roll back hard-fought civil rights progress. McConnell is insisting the Senate install his friend, Justin Walker, to a seat on the important D.C. Circuit. His urgency in doing this is fake – he is rushing to fill a lifetime seat that does not become vacant for months.

“Walker’s nomination is pure political patronage. He is not fit to serve, and the full Senate must reject him.”

Read The Leadership Conference’s letter in opposition to the confirmation of Justin Walker. Walker campaigned for the confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court, and he has pledged allegiance to “Kavanaugh’s America.” Walker promises to “not surrender… our work or our cause.” Walker opposes access to health care and civil rights protections.

The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights is a coalition charged by its diverse membership of more than 220 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.