140+ National Organizations Call on Senate to Affirm Justice and Rule of Law by Confirming All Judicial Nominees
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Patrick McNeil, [email protected]
WASHINGTON — The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, joined by 141 national organizations, wrote to senators today underscoring the urgency of protecting all people at an extraordinarily dangerous time by confirming all remaining lifetime judicial nominees before the end of the Biden administration. The letter comes with just weeks left in the 118th Congress and as 17 lifetime judicial nominees are pending on the Senate floor — with more to come.
“Throughout the 117th and 118th Congresses, President Biden and the Senate have made great strides to improve our judiciary through the confirmation of judicial nominees who possess a dedication to civil and human rights,” the letter states. “Accelerating this progress and confirming all of the pending judicial nominees is urgent and enduring. We implore you to stay in and do this necessary work. It is essential that we leave no judges behind.”
The focus on judicial nominations has been a people-centered approach that understands that too many talented attorneys, with exemplary records and stellar careers, have been overlooked or excluded. Judges are called upon to follow the law and facts, which requires understanding the implications of discretion and interpretation. To do that well, judges must understand the realities of people’s lives. The Biden administration has understood this and ensured that exceptional candidates of all races and identities were considered, vetted, and then nominated based on their qualifications and not excluded.
“Now is the time to make sure that all of the pending judicial nominees, who exemplify the kinds of jurists our country needs right now, are swiftly confirmed. Our democracy is stronger for this progress, and we cannot afford to slow down,” the groups write. The letter also urges senators to stay in session to confirm all pending lifetime nominees: “This must be done expeditiously, and the Senate must stay in to get it done. Our democracy depends on qualified, fair-minded judges committed to upholding the rights of all of us.”
To date, 215 of President Biden’s lifetime judicial nominees have been confirmed, including historic numbers of appointees who are women of all races, Black, AANHPI, Latino/a, Native, and openly LGBTQ. More than 40 percent of President Biden’s appointees bring to the bench important professional diversity with experience as civil rights lawyers, public defenders, and other lawyers and jurists who have significant experience protecting civil and human rights.
More from The Leadership Conference and from the National Women’s Law Center and People For the American Way, which serve as co-chairs of The Leadership Conference’s Fair Courts Task Force:
Maya Wiley, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights: “All people depend on judges to be fair, follow the law, and understand how their decisions impact everyday lives. Whether it’s about the question of a corporation abusing consumers, the government violating a person’s rights, or a hospital mistreating a patient, judges have an immense responsibility and should be chosen based on their qualifications and their character. Each judicial seat in our nation matters for the protection of our Constitution, our fundamental rights, and our lives for years to come. Especially at this moment, as we continue to live in an era of unprecedented threats to our communities and possibilities for the abuse of public power for political gain, many critical issues are and will be resolved in our federal courts. We the people deserve federal judges who President Biden has nominated based on their qualifications and character, including their ability to know and understand the diverse people and communities and the diversity of experiences and realities in this great nation. When senators show up for the confirmation of judges, they are showing up for justice, fairness, truth, and accountability. The civil rights community urges all senators to show up for our communities and our people by focusing on confirming these highly qualified and fair-minded jurists to the bench.”
Svante Myrick, president of People For the American Way: “Two months before power shifts in Washington take place, Democrats must show the American people that they will do everything they possibly can to protect our rights and our freedom. That starts now, during the Senate’s post-election session. It’s imperative that the Senate confirm all of President Biden’s pending judicial nominees before the end of the year. The Senate must finish the job of confirming fair-minded, highly qualified jurists who are committed to ensuring justice and equality for all. Every person in this country deserves to have their rights fully respected and protected, so it’s imperative that Senators act now to show their commitment to fairness and freedom by confirming all pending nominees.”
Fatima Goss Graves, president and CEO of the National Women’s Law Center: “These confirmations are absolutely crucial for protecting the freedoms and civil liberties of all Americans as we face historic challenges to our democracy and communities. We need judges who will uphold our Constitution, counter authoritarian threats, and serve as a check against abuses of power — including by those coming directly from the incoming White House.”
The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights is a coalition charged by its diverse membership of more than 240 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.
###