Pompeo Must Commit to Represent All, Promote Human Rights

WASHINGTON – Vanita Gupta, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, issued the following statement after the Senate voted to confirm Michael Pompeo as Secretary of State:

“The Secretary of State is our nation’s top diplomat, who must represent all in America and promote human rights abroad. Mike Pompeo has yet to prove that he can fulfill that duty. Until now, Director Pompeo’s record shows that he does not equally value the rights of all, in particular LGBTQ people, women, Muslims, and refugees. We urge Mr. Pompeo to recognize the enormity of his new role by valuing the rights of all – including members of the State Department’s diverse workforce. Most importantly, Congress must ensure that he stays true to the task.”

Earlier this month, The Leadership Conference and 54 other civil and human rights groups wrote to the Senate in opposition to the Pompeo nomination. The letter is available here.

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.