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The Progressive

NewsWire

A project of Common Dreams

For Immediate Release
Contact: Email:,press@civilrights.org,Phone: (202) 869-0398

Civil and Human Rights Coalition: Senate Should Change the Nominee, Not the Rules

Wade Henderson, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, issued the following statement following the Senate's failure to secure the 60-vote threshold to advance the nomination of Judge Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court of the United States:

WASHINGTON

Wade Henderson, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, issued the following statement following the Senate's failure to secure the 60-vote threshold to advance the nomination of Judge Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court of the United States:

"Today's failure by the Senate Republicans to secure 60 votes to move forward on President Trump's nominee to the Supreme Court speaks to the flaws of Judge Gorsuch, not the rules of the Senate. Instead of selecting a consensus nominee, the President chose someone who was proposed by the Heritage Foundation and the Federalist Society and who has shown that he will not support the interests of everyday Americans. It's time for the Republican Party to change the nominee, not the rules.

It is utter hypocrisy for the Republican majority to object to the 60-vote threshold for the Supreme Court. On multiple occasions, Senate Republicans insisted on a 60-vote threshold for President Obama's judicial nominees - all of them on lower courts. Surely the highest court in the land should meet the same standard.

Many senators have serious concerns about the far-right ideological agenda of Judge Gorsuch, and his ability to serve as an independent check on the executive branch. His evasive answers at his Senate hearing only compounded these concerns. Time and again, in rulings, speeches and articles Judge Gorsuch has shown that he is unfit to serve on the Supreme Court."

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 civil and human rights of all persons in the United States. Through advocacy and outreach to targeted constituencies, The Leadership Conference works toward the goal of a more open and just society - an America as good as its ideals.

(202) 466-3311