Senate Must Stop Trump Takeover of Federal Courts, Reject Fast Tracking of Judicial Nominees

WASHINGTON – Vanita Gupta, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, issued the following statement on the judicial nominations pending before the Senate:

“The panicked rush to confirm Kavanaugh is only the latest example of Senate Republicans’ desperate attempts to take over the federal courts. Senate Republicans refuse to take seriously the need to thoroughly and independently vet these lifetime appointments. Trump has already filled nearly ten percent of the federal judiciary, and this rapid pace follows Republicans’ record obstruction during the Obama administration that created many of these vacancies in the first place.

“If the Senate is serious about the federal judiciary, each senator must reject attempts to confirm these lifetime nominees without adequate time and debate. Rushing hearings, packing witness panels, and overriding home state senators’ rights to be consulted are all important reasons that senators should refuse to confirm judicial nominees in bulk. Our courts matter far too much to rush this process.” 

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.