Coalition to Senate: Only Confirm Fair Minded, Qualified, Ethical Judges

A PDF of this letter can be found here

March 10, 2026

Dear Senator:

The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights and the 59 additional undersigned national organizations urge you to build a federal judiciary that lives up to its promise of equal justice for all. As the Trump administration engages in outrageous abuses of power unchecked by Congress, the importance of judges in preserving our rights and freedoms could not be more clear. We call on you to make fair courts an enduring priority, and to only confirm judges who have proven to be fair-minded, well-qualified, and committed to civil and human rights.

The civil and human rights community has spent decades advocating for a demographically and professionally diverse judiciary that works for all of us, not just the wealthy and powerful. We do this without regard to who controls the White House or Senate because we believe in equal justice, and we understand the immense power of the judiciary to make a difference in people’s lives.

Our courts decide cases that impact our rights and our ability to live in a thriving, multiracial democracy. Judges rule on cases involving voting rights, access to health care, reproductive rights, LGBTQ equality, disability rights, immigrants, working people, sexual harassment, religious freedom, the environment, gun safety, and more. In the 117th and 118th Congresses, President Biden and the Senate took great strides to appoint judges who possess a dedication to equal justice. Many of these judges had significant experience protecting civil and human rights, and many belong to communities who have long been unrepresented on the bench. These judges are ensuring that justice is served throughout our country, and they are making a real difference in people’s lives. The progress has been significant.

At the same time, others on the bench have pushed in the opposite direction. In the previous Trump administration, nominees were often selected for having a history of working against civil and human rights work, rather than for it. In the past year, the administration has appointed even more problematic nominees.

As a result, the communities we represent have borne the brunt of an anti-democratic, anti-civil rights assault. Most notably, just four years ago, the Supreme Court took away a fundamental right: the right to abortion. This term, there is real concern that the Supreme Court could once again severely weaken the Voting Rights Act, undermining the vote of communities of color. And as with the notorious presidential immunity decision, other cases this term could remove longstanding checks on the president’s abuses of power. At the same time, the Court has also failed to address the serious ethics crisis that calls into question its fairness and impartiality.

For our rights, our families, our communities, and our future, the Senate must ensure every single nominee meets the highest ethical standards, is fair-minded, is committed to civil and human rights, and has personal and professional records that back up their claims. Every judicial seat in America matters to the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms, and it is up to the Senate to ensure these seats are only filled by people who are up to the job.

For our democracy to work, the people must trust that courts will be fair. Senators have a duty, under the advice and consent clause, to provide a meaningful check on the president’s power over the courts. We call upon each of you to do everything in your power to exercise it.

Sincerely,

The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights
Advancement Project
AFL-CIO
AFT
Alliance for Justice
American Association of University Women (AAUW)
American Atheists
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME)
American Humanist Association
Americans United for Separation of Church and State
Andrew Goodman Foundation
Autistic Women & Nonbinary Network
Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law
Clearinghouse on Women’s Issues
Coalition on Human Needs
Common Cause
Defend the Vote Action Fund
Earthjustice Action
Feminist Majority
FFRF Action Fund
Freedom From Religion Foundation
Freshwater Future
Government Information Watch
Hispanic Federation
IDRA (Intercultural Development Research Association)
Jewish Council for Public Affairs
Justice and Joy National Collaborative
Juvenile Law Center
Lambda Legal
LatinoJustice PRLDEF
Lawyers for Good Government
League of Conservation Voters
League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC)
Legal Momentum, The Women’s Legal Defense and Education Fund
Mi Familia Vota
Nathaniel R. Jones Foundation
National Association of Consumer Advocates
National Association of Social Workers
National Council of Jewish Women
National Education Association
National Employment Lawyers Association
National Hispanic Media Coalition
National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice
National LGBTQ Task Force Action Fund
National LGBTQ+ Bar Association
National Organization for Women
National Women’s Law Center
NBJC
People For the American Way
People’s Parity Project
Planned Parenthood Action Fund
Reproductive Freedom for All
Secure Elections Network
Service Employees International Union (SEIU)
Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund
The Institute for Health Research & Policy at Whitman-Walker
The Sikh Coalition
Transformative Justice Coalition
Voices for Progress
Women Lawyers On Guard Action Network