Kobes Advancement Continues Senate Republicans’ Attack on Federal Judiciary

WASHINGTON – Vanita Gupta, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, issued the following statement after the Senate voted, on a party-line basis, to advance the nomination of Jonathan Kobes to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit:

“Advancing Kobes’ nomination is yet another demonstration of the Trump administration and Senate majority’s anti-civil rights agenda. His record clearly indicates his inability to serve as a fair-minded jurist, having time and time again questioned marriage equality, transgender rights, and a woman’s right to choose.

“This is the second time in two days that Vice President Pence had to break a tie, indicating how harmful these nominees would be to the judicial branch. If Senate Republicans truly believed in the integrity of our federal judiciary, they would all reject Kobes’ confirmation. Anything short of that is a direct attack on our fundamental rights.”

Kobes was rated Not Qualified by the ABA and, if confirmed, would be the second Not Qualified-rated judge nominated by Trump to serve on the Eighth Circuit alone. The Leadership Conference sent a letter to the Senate opposing Jonathan Kobes.

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.